Kosta Nedeljkovic | Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Red Star Belgrade defender.
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Red Star Belgrade defender Kosta Nedeljkovic.
The West Midlands club is currently looking for ways to strengthen their squad in the short term as they compete for the Premier League title.
However, head coach Unai Emery and the club’s recruitment team are also looking ahead, as evidenced by the long-term signing of Nedeljkovic.
In his first season of senior football with Red Star, the 18-year-old has emerged as an important player on the right side of the backline.
In all competitions, he has made 18 appearances, four of which were in the Champions League, with a 78-minute outing against Manchester City in December.
His performance in that game appears to have helped Villa push through a deal for a ‘undisclosed fee’.
Nevertheless, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that both clubs have agreed on a fee of €7.6 million (£6.5 million).
Rather than immediately challenging for a spot in Emery’s squad, the teenager will be allowed to finish the season in Serbia with his current club.
Red Star is currently one point behind leaders and rivals Partizan Belgrade, and nine points ahead of the chasing pack.
Villa intend to assess the development of Nedeljkovic – a Serbia Under-19 international – in the summer, with the player naturally hoping to compete for a spot in Premier League games beginning next season.
Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash have been used as right-backs in 2023-24, while Calum Chambers has been told he can leave Villa Park before the end of the January transfer window.
