Aston Villa has signed the Nottingham Forest full-back Matty Cash for £16million.
Spurning a clutch of rival Premier League clubs for advance, manager Dean Smith was able to persuade Cash to sign a five-year deal at Villa Park.
The 23-year-old is the latest product from City Ground to secure a top-flight move and has made 141 appearances at Forest across six years.
“We’re delighted to welcome Matty to Villa, and believe we’ve secured one of the brightest young prospects for England,” Villa boss Smith said.
“He’s got an excellent record playing for a young player and we believe he’ll easily settle in and continue his rapid development into a top full-back.”
Cash confirmed that he had signed a five-year deal at Villa Park, revealing his delight in stepping up the top flight.
“Absolutely buzzing to sign a five-year agreement at Aston Villa,” he tweeted.
“I’ve always dreamed of something since I was a young boy playing in the Premier League, it really is a dream come true.”
As soon as he heard of the interest of the club he had jumped to the opportunity to join Villa, admitted the Slough-born defender.
“My agent rang me up and said Villa was interested and it was the place I wanted to come to immediately,” Cash said.
“I said ‘don’t worry about anything else, I’d like to come here to play.’
“It was a crazy voyage from the age of 17, getting released to kicking on at Wycombe Wanderers.
“I’ve had a very good five years at Forest and I can’t really thank them – they’ve been very good to me.
“Signing to Villa is an enormous moment and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me through this process.
“I’m coming off a good season and I’m ready to take that in with Villa in the Premier League.”
