Bristol Rovers have confirmed highly rated youngster Kyrie Pierre has joined Premier League outfit Aston Villa, as reported by the club’s official website.
Expect to see more of this kind of move in the future.
Aston Villa have made it their mission to lure some of Europe’s most exciting teenagers to Bodymoor Heath. But, with post-Brexit legislation making deals for players such as Sil Swinkels and Oliwier Zych all but impossible, Villa have been forced to look closer to home for young talent.
Aston Villa are expected to sign Kerr Smith from Dundee United.
Kyrie Pierre, meanwhile, will be wearing claret and blue next term with Villa paying a record-breaking (albeit still undisclosed) fee for the technically gifted attacking midfielder.
“Kyrie is a fantastic young man and a very capable player and everyone at the academy is delighted for him to be joining such a historic football club,” Bristol Rovers academy manager Chris Hargreaves explains.
“Having spoken to Mark Harrison (academy manager) at Aston Villa, we wanted to allow Kyrie and his family the opportunity to speak to the club.
“This is a record fee for our academy and means the academy can look to become more sustainable and fit the brief of producing high-quality players who can play in our first team, while being realistic that, in a competitive market place, players may have the opportunity to develop at Premier League clubs.”
Hargreaves spoke in glowing terms regarding his relationship with Harrison, suggesting Bristol Rovers could do plenty of business with Aston Villa in the future too.
Pierre, then, may be something of a trailblazer if he maintains his current progression in claret and blue.
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