Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 8:42 PM• Dominic Mostert

Ashley Young returns to Aston Villa. The winger has an expiring contract with Internazionale and can therefore transfer free of charge to the club for which he already played between 2007 and 2011. Young turned down an offer from Inter to extend his contract and also had the option of moving to Watford or Burnley. Aston Villa announced on Thursday evening that Young has signed a one-year contract.

Young, 35, is very enthusiastic about his return to Villa Park. “When I heard of the interest from Aston Villa, I immediately said to my agent: ‘Make sure it works out, no matter what.’ I saw the team in action from a distance last season and I saw how well Aston Villa did,” said the veteran. The Villans, with Anwar El Ghazi in the squad, finished in eleventh place in the Premier League. “The coaching staff, the coach and the players clearly have a drive for success, they have a winning mentality. And I know myself that I have it too.”

“I’ve heard someone say that I’m coming here to end my career, that I’m not hungry for success anymore, that it’s my swan song… That’s not who I am at all,” emphasizes Young. “Watching the players and coaching staff at work makes me realize how fantastic it is to be able to join. I look forward to adding my experience to this young squad. I don’t know if I will be a father figure.” I don’t come here to hang out with the squad, but to play football. I’ve experienced competition for a starting spot at every club and I’m looking forward to taking on that challenge again.”

Young began his career at Watford, spending three seasons in the Championship and one year in the Premier League between 2003 and 2007. In January 2007, Young moved to Aston Villa, for which he played 157 league appearances. He had his big breakthrough at the highest level at that club. Young was named to the Premier League Team of the Year after his first year and went on to become an England international. In the summer of 2011, Young signed with Manchester United, where he would stay for eight and a half years; in January 2020 he made the switch to Internazionale for approximately 1.5 million euros. Last season he became champion with the club and Young played 26 matches in the Serie A.