Yacouba Sylla

Name:

Yacouba Sylla

Nationality:

French

Date of Birth:

29/11/1990

Height:

6' 0" (184cm)

Weight:

12st 8lbs (80.0kg)

Previous Clubs:

Position:

Midfielder

LATEST NEWS

2012-13 review coming soon.

WHAT HE SAID

I am a defensive midfielder, a ball winner. I want to help the team to defend well. That's my aim.

I want to fight for the club and help the team.

English football is spectacular and that's why everyone wants to play here.

The challenge of joining such a big club as Villa excites me.

I am certainly aware of the status and history of Villa in England.

WHAT OTHERS SAID

Karim El Ahmadi: Yacouba is a good player and the kind of player we need. He's a strong player and a good guy. He's more than welcome here.

Paul Lambert: He is a strong lad that we think might add a bit of bite in the middle of the pitch.

MINI PROFILE

Villa snapped up highly-rated midfielder Yacouba Sylla on the final day of the January 2013 transfer window.

Sylla completed a move from French second division outfit Clermont Foot, signing a three-and-a-half-year-deal.

He became Villa's ninth signing of the 2012-13 campaign, following on from summer arrivals Brett Holman, Karim El Ahmadi, Matt Lowton, Ron Vlaar, Jordan Bowery, Ashley Westwood, Joe Bennett and Christian Benteke.

Born in the Étampes region of Paris, Sylla began his career with his hometown club Étampes FC.

The defensive midfielder, who has one cap for France U21s, then spent four years with Bretigny - a former club of French internationals Patrice Evra and Jimmy Briand.

Brief stints with Montferrand, Malesherbes and Caen followed before he moved to Clermont Foot.

The 22-year-old broke into the first team in 2010 and was regular from there on.

He played 24 times during the 2011-12 campaign, helping Clermont to fifth place in Ligue 2.

Sylla has been a regular this season too, with 21 appearances to his name prior to completing his Villa move.

INTERESTING FACT

Sylla is a big admirer of Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote.