De Laet hopes to keep Aston Villa smiling

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The Belgian says he is looking forward to having some fun with his new teammates after completing a move from Leicester City.

De Laet has signed for Villa from Premier League champions Leicester

New Aston Villa signing Ritchie de Laet has told the club’s official website that he hopes to be a big presence in the dressing room at Villa Park, adding that he did not need much persuading to join to Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

The Belgian has signed a three-year deal after joining the Villans for an undisclosed fee from Premier League champions Leicester City.

The 27-year-old is the third player to arrive at the club from the top flight, following on from West Bromwich Albion defender James Chester and Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak, and is Di Matteo’s seventh signing of the summer.

De Laet spent the second half of last season at Middlesbrough, helping them to win promotion from the Championship.

His last appearance for the Foxes came against Villa when they bounced back from two goals down to earn a 3-2 at the King Power Stadium last September.

And De Laet says he had no hesitations about moving to the other side of the Midlands, telling AVTV: “I didn’t need a lot persuading to be fair. Villa’s a big club and you don’t have to think twice when a club like that comes in for you.”

A miserable campaign last term saw Aston Villa relegated from the Premier League with just 17 points, but De Laet hopes to be part of efforts to lift the mood at the club and guide them back to the top flight.

“In the dressing room I be will quiet at the start, just like you are on your first day of school.

“It’s about getting to know the lads better. But generally I am actually a loud guy and like to have fun in training, which you have to because I personally I think it’s the best job in the world and you have to enjoy it.

“I like a joke and a prank. That’s just to keep everyone going. If you have a bad result, you can’t dwell on it so the next day I like to get the smiles back on the faces and get ready for the next game.”