Philippe Senderos completes move to Aston Villa
Villa this afternoon confirmed the signing of Philippe Senderos on a two-year deal.
The 29-year-old became the claret and blues' first summer signing before flying to Brazil tomorrow with the Switzerland squad for the World Cup.
The centre-back was available on a free transfer after a short-spell at Valencia following a four-year stay at Fulham.
"I'm really delighted to be joining Aston Villa, a great club with such a big history, and for me this is a great step in my career," he said.
"There will be a lot of competition for places with Ron Vlaar, Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker and Jores Okore also very capable Premier League defenders, so it will be up to me to fight for and to earn my place in the team."
And boss Paul Lambert believes Senderos, who won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2005, will be a valuable signing.
He said: "He's played for some top sides and was a big influence in Arsenal's run to the Champions League final in 2006, so we're bringing in a really experienced player who's been there and done it and that will be important for the team."
