Villa boost squad for Premier League by signing defender Konsa

British media reported that the deal for the 21-year-old Konsa, who has previously worked with Villa boss Dean Smith at Brentford, was worth 12 million pounds ($15.04 million).

"Ezri fits the profile of the type of player we were searching for," Smith told the club's website https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2019/07/11/transfer-news-ezri%20konsa-arrives.

"He's a high-potential player who can step up to the Premier League and I'm looking forward to working with him again."

Konsa, who came through Charlton Athletic's youth system, has represented England at the under-21 level and was part of the team that won the under-20 World Cup in 2017.

Smith's side took their close-season spending to beyond 50 million pounds when they signed Tyrone Mings from Bournemouth earlier this week, following the arrivals of Anwar El Ghazi, Matt Targett, Kortney Hause, Jota and Wesley.

Villa, back in the top flight after a three-season absence, begin their Premier League campaign against Tottenham Hotspur on Aug. 10.