Football
Aston Villa Sign Young Levante Defender Andres Garcia For £7M
James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports, including Premier League and European football, Rugby Union, WWE and the NFL. Having studied English & Creative Writing at Plymouth University, James completed a master's degree in Digital & Social Media Marketing before pursuing a career in Journalism. He then graduated from News Associates in Manchester after finishing their NCTJ Postgraduate Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism. Since then, James spent time writing for GameRant before ing Reach PLC, where he featured regularly in publications such as the Daily Mirror, Football.LDN, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, as well as dozens of local titles. Now at SportsCasting, James provides expert analysis and detailed research features, as well as covering breaking news stories.
Get to know James Chittick betterPublished21 Jan 2025
Aston Villa have signed 21-year-old right-back Andres Garcia from Spanish second-division side Levante.
The youngster debuted for Levante in 2022 and has since made 46 senior appearances, scoring four goals.
Of those four, three have come this season in an impressive campaign so far.
Garcia had established himself as a key player and first-term regular for Levante, starting most games.
It is reported that Aston Villa have agreed on an initial fee of around £6m, with a further £1m in add-ons.
Who Is Aston Villa’s New Man Andres Garcia?
Born in Valencia, Andres Garcia rose through the ranks at Levante after being spotted as a youngster playing for local side Inter San Jose.
He ed the Levante academy in 2021, playing for the youth team and “B” side before breaking into the first team.
Predominantly a right-back, Garcia can also operate as a right-winger – having started his career there.
Known for his attacking prowess and ability to get forward, he has plenty to offer Villa’s back line.
Injury hampered his season last year, but he has since returned to the Levante starting XI and proved his worth, providing three goals and two assists in his last eight games.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the g of Andrés García from Levante. pic.twitter.com/E98nD900u6
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 21, 2025
Aston Villa’s Transfer Window So Far
The arrival of Andres Garcia marks Villa’s second January arrival.
Unai Amery’s team have also acquired Dutch forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.
Netherlands international Malen, 26, spent time with Ajax, Arsenal and PSV before ing Dortmund in 2021. He arrived at Villa Park for a fee of £19m.
Moving in the other direction, winger Jaden Philogene has ed fellow Premier League side Ipswich Town for £20m.
Villa’s next game is a Champions League tie against Monaco on Tuesday, which kicks off at 5:45pm.
As it stands, the Midlands club are fifth in the competitions standings, and should qualify for the knockouts.
In the Premier League, Aston Villa are currently eighth in the table, four points off the top four.