Leon Bailey: Aston Villa sign Jamaica winger from Bayer Leverkusen

Last updated on .From the section Aston Villacomments53

Leon Bailey
Bailey joined Bayer Leverkusen from Belgian side Genk in 2017

Aston Villa have signed winger Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen on a contract until 2025.

The 23-year-old Jamaica international has scored 28 goals in 119 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen.

"Leon is a hugely exciting young striker with great pace and creativity," said Villa boss Dean Smith.

"We are now looking forward to watching him show his skills and talents for Aston Villa in the Premier League."

Bailey becomes Villa's third signing of the summer after the arrival of Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City and Ashley Young from Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, Villa captain Jack Grealish is a £100m target for Manchester City.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

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54 comments

  • Comment posted by Factual Actual, today at 10:16

    Aston Villa have signed winger Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen on a contract until 2025.

    The 23-year-old Jamaica international has scored 28 goals in 119 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen.

    "Leon is a hugely exciting young striker with great pace and creativity," said Villa boss Dean Smith.

  • Comment posted by geow93, today at 10:15

    All making way for Grealish to Man City

  • Comment posted by GorbleGorble, today at 10:13

    Villa might have a decent team in the Championship next season.

  • Comment posted by stew, today at 10:10

    paves the way for toon to get grealish

  • Comment posted by Lennygizmo, today at 10:06

    Old news is not?🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • Comment posted by jude nelson, today at 10:03

    All the bitters on here claiming it’s the grealish money. Grow up. We are top of the food chain. We spend big every year and do what we want

    • Reply posted by Wengerout, today at 10:06

      Wengerout replied:
      Delusional.

  • Comment posted by jude nelson, today at 10:01

    Ward prowse next please.

    Despite the concerted effort of the media to try and force the grealish sale (no there isn’t a buyout clause, no we haven’t accepted any bids and no he hasn’t got a medical booked), we are holding strong.

    Only way is up

    • Reply posted by Tom, today at 10:11

      Tom replied:
      Why would the British media have a conspiracy to get Grealish to City?

  • Comment posted by footy_wizkid, today at 09:59

    The Prem pull is massive. Taking a start player from 5th best club in Germany to play for prem team who finished mid-table. Villa getting a solid side together

    • Reply posted by Tim, today at 10:02

      Tim replied:
      Not exactly a starter over the last few years. Injuries, form etc

  • Comment posted by Seahawks81, today at 09:55

    If Grealish stays, Villa look a very strong Top 8 side before further signings I expect them to make.
    Defensively Villa were good last season, kept a lot of clean sheets. With the added quality in midfield holding on to the ball Villa can certainly replicate the clean sheets and add goals. Great to see Villa entering a new season with confidence and a target of improving on the last campaign.

  • Comment posted by Al_Bundy, today at 09:54

    I find it crazy that clubs in countries like Germany are able to sign players from Commonwealth countries more easily than British clubs. British clubs can only sign these players, if they have already played for their country or in one of the big European leagues.

    • Reply posted by Tom, today at 10:04

      Tom replied:
      Yeah the work permit rules in this country make it a lot harder to sign non European players in general.
      Whilst some would argue that's a good thing for British players it clearly does little. Just means we will never see a lionel Messi or fat Ronaldo play here untill much later in their careers if at all.

  • Comment posted by that swashbuckling polander of garwolin, today at 09:53

    Better than Jack (of all trades and master of none)
    Huge potential and in Leverkusen he often played out of his position ( midfield), retreating, supporting defenders, too. Hard working player with Lothar Matthaus' lungs of steel.
    Agile and physically strong in the air.
    Offloading overrated dead wood for 100 mln and getting such a gem at a bargain price.
    Good business for Villa this time.

  • Comment posted by Tim, today at 09:52

    Really good on Fifa a few years back

  • Comment posted by lauriejellis, today at 09:49

    Spending that Grealish money already. Shame Smith-Rowe knows Villa are a joke club.

    • Reply posted by Freddie, today at 09:58

      Freddie replied:
      Joke club? Some of the most wealthy owners. Iconic stadium. Top class academy. Young squad. Large local support. Past European champions' league and cup winners. In what way does this characterise a joke club?

  • Comment posted by DLG71, today at 09:49

    If villa do keep hold of JG could they be challengers for the title??

    • Reply posted by Tony, today at 10:01

      Tony replied:
      The simple answer is -NO

  • Comment posted by Brass Eye, today at 09:47

    The signing of Ashley Young is a bit misleading, surely he should be called Ashley Middle Aged or Ashley Pension Book.

    • Reply posted by SavvyConsumer, today at 09:51

      SavvyConsumer replied:
      At 36 I hope he's going to be the goalie!

  • Comment posted by Im not an extraterrestrial, today at 09:47

    The poor guy has obviously never visited Birmingham

    • Reply posted by DLG71, today at 09:51

      DLG71 replied:
      Well when he does he will have a good choice of areas to choose from, the CC is fantastic!!

      Birmingham isn’t just what you see when you drive through on the M6!!

  • Comment posted by RichieCampeon, today at 09:45

    Villa spending the Grealish cash before they receive it is the way to do business in the transfer market. Once clubs know you've received a £100m windfall, transfers prices tend to have a heavy sales premium added.

    • Reply posted by W 6, today at 10:01

      W 6 replied:
      It's not a done deal yet...

  • Comment posted by Olly, today at 09:43

    Yet another HYS about Man United!! What is it about the BBC and their obsession with them?? Also, the journalism is shoddy and lazy. His name is Eric and he’s from the Ivory Coast not Jamaica. Come on BBC - up your game.

    • Reply posted by Tony, today at 10:05

      Tony replied:
      Seriously is that your best attempt at humour? Look he has the same surname as someone else, I will make a joke about it ha ha. So poor.

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