Sevilla FC v Villarreal CF - LaLiga Santander
SEVILLE, SPAIN - Pau Torres of Villarreal CF celebrates with teammate Yeremi Pino after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Villarreal CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 23, 2023 in Seville, Spain. Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Aston Villa are gearing up for a European campaign, and one man they hired to beef up the team was Spanish defender Pau Torres.

The Villarreal player has been linked to the Villans in the previous weeks, but no reports show how much he is worth.

He has a reported release clause of $77.8 million, but many expected this amount to go down as he is already in the last year of his contract.

That expectation turned out true as Football Insider revealed that Aston Villa were first to his signature, as previously reported. Torres will transfer to Villa Park on a $36 million transfer fee.

"Official, confirmed. Pau Torres joins Aston Villa on a permanent deal from Villarreal for €32.5m fee plus €5m add ons. 🟣 #AVFC Sealed and completed," Romano wrote on Twitter.

On the other hand, Aston Villa said in a statement that the deal was sealed for an undisclosed fee.

"The move is subject to international clearance and a successful visa application," it also wrote.

Player profile

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was Torres' coach for two years in Villarreal. Together, they won the Europa League by beating Manchester United in the finals in 2021.

He spent his entire youth career with Villarreal starting in 2002.

The 27-year-old center-back is known for his agility and speed on defense which was crucial in Villarreal's European campaigns.