Aston Villa release Bertrand Traore with midfielder joining Villarreal

Villarreal have pulled off a major coup in signing Bertrand Traore on a free transfer from Aston Villa, with the attacking midfielder set to sign a long-term contract at the La Liga outfit. The 28-year-old forward has slipped down the pecking order at Villa Park, and despite arriving at the club for a fee of around £18 million, the team have decided to let Traore leave on a free.

Traore started his career at Auxerre, before spending several years at Chelsea early in his development and later moving to Vitesse Arnhem - Chelsea's feeder club - on a short term deal. A move to Ajax on loan followed that, before three very successful seasons at Lyon where Traore bagged 21 Ligue 1 goals in 87 games. A move to Villa followed.

A series of new managers at Villa Park have not helped Traore's cause, but the arrival of Unai Emery appears to have signalled the end of his career with the club.

So far this season, Traore has appeared six times, with two appearances only in the Premier League.