Aston Villa fans have been giving their reaction to the news that the club have completed the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.
Coutinho, 29, has been on loan at Villa since January and has impressed for Steven Gerrard’s side, scoring four goals and three assists in his first eight games. The attacking midfielder has also made a return to the Brazilian national team and has been called up for the upcoming international games against South Korea and Japan, both of which will be played at the start of June.
“This is a brilliant signing for Aston Villa,” said Gerrard on the club website. “Phil is a model professional and his impact on the group has been very clear since he joined in January. With the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch, he’s also a valuable role model for our younger players who can only benefit from his experience.”
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The deal was confirmed on the night of the club’s end of season awards night, with a photograph of Coutinho and chief executive officer Christian Purslow this evening. Villa fans’ feelings about the signing have been made evidently clear. Here’s what they’ve had to say:
@Chrsmo: However way you spin it, the fact that we signed Drinkwater, Reina, Samatta and Baston two years ago, and we are now seeing a genuine world class player sign permanently shows the progress the club has had. It’s just incredible! Absolute speechless!
@Neaarii: Top 4 incoming.
@tom_avfc1: biggest and best signing in my lifetime.
@TresBie61115580: Fantastic news. Club continues in the right direction under our brilliant owners. Well run in the boardroom, well run on the pitch, and finally, possibly, poised to genuinely move into the ‘higher tier’ next season if we get the five or six players we need in.
@Mike_Land10: Unreal business.
@TylerHawkins77: Imagine seeing this tweet 5 years ago. Insane! Can’t wait to watch him for the next few seasons!
@Umm_Issa: We were hours from liquidation in July 2019 and now we’re singing Philippe Coutinho permanently.
@JoeWhiteWrites_: Pinch yourself stuff.