Aston Villa have completed the signing of Nigel Reo-Coker from fellow English Premier League side West Ham for a reported £8.5m. Terms have been agreed including a 4 year contract for the 23 year old. Reo-Coker took a good deal of criticism during the 2006-07 season as team captain at West Ham. The player was blamed for West Ham’s poor form in a season which saw them spend much of the campaign in the relegation zone.

Nigel Reo-Coker made a total of 142 appearances for West Ham in both league and cup but is now looking forward to a fresh start at Villa. Reo-Coker believes he was made a scapegoat for the problems at Upton Park but believes that the experience as a whole has hardened his resolve.

Reo-Coker is the only new face to join Aston Villa so far this summer. Manager Martin O'Neill has failed to land any additional players despite the loss of midfielders Gavin McCann and Steven Davis. The agreed £8.5m fee is a huge increase on the £500,000 paid by West Ham to bring the player from Wimbledon. You can catch Nigel Reo-Coker and watch Aston Villa live as they play in the 2007-08 season.