Aston Villa have announced the signing of Jonathan Kodjia from Bristol City for a Championship-record fee.
The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal at Villa Park for a fee of £11m, which could rise to £15m - a sum that would make him the most expensive player signed by a club in the second tier of English football.
Kodjia only arrived at Ashton Gate last summer, but went on to score 20 goals in 52 appearances for Bristol City during the 2015-16 campaign.
"We want to build the club in the right way and we've had a very active and positive summer in the transfer market. We've continually told Jonathan that we don't want him to go, but recently he's made it clear that he's aware of the interest of other clubs and that he wanted to leave," Bristol City chief operating officer Mark Ashton told the club's official website.
"After lengthy discussions with (head coach) Lee Johnson, the board and importantly (majority shareholder) Steve Lansdown, we felt that if we got the right offer we would allow him to leave. We have turned down several bids from other Championship clubs and also clubs in the Premier League. On Saturday night I spoke to Aston Villa and explained to them our detailed valuation and payment terms. Villa agreed to match those terms and subsequently permission was given for Jonathan to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.
"This is the largest fee this club has ever received and once again shows how far we are progressing and the high regard in which our players are held. Due to the high profile nature and speculation surrounding the deal we have chosen to disclose the fee. We will receive a total of £11m guaranteed, which has the potential to rise to £15m. In addition, we have retained a sell-on clause for a percentage of any future profit."
Bristol City's previous record sale saw Ade AKinbiyi join Wolverhampton Wanderers for £3.5m in September 1999.
Barney Corkhill
