Aston Villa Complete Signing Of Jean Makoun From Lyon

Cameroon international becomes Villa's first signing of January transfer window.
Aston Villa have signed Jean Il Makoun from Lyon for a fee believe to be £6 million.

The Cameroon international underwent a medical on Friday and has agreed a deal until June 2014.

The 27-year-old midfielder will not be eligible to play until he completes the formalities of securing a work permit, which could take up to two weeks.

"I am thrilled to be here at Aston Villa," Makoun said. "I am really, really happy and very proud to have joined a great club.

"Villa have been after me for quite a while, so I am delighted it's finally happened. I can't wait to get started now.

"I've left a very good club in Lyon, a side which has played Champions League football, but I am very excited by this new challenge at Aston Villa. Villa really want to do well and really want to achieve something, so I am excited to be joining."

"Jean is aplayer who can play in front of the defence as a sitter and defensive midfielder or as a box-to-box midfielder," said Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier.

"He has several assets about his game. He is also a very experienced player because he played Champions League football with Lille and Lyon.

"He is a nice guy too. I think he will settle well in the dressing room.

Houllier is delighted to get his man after previously attempting to sign him when manager of Lyon and the player was at Lille.