Aston Villa sign Wolves defender Kortney Hause on-loan
Aston Villa have signed Wolves defender Kortney Hause on-loan for the remainder of the season, with the option of a permanent transfer.
The 23-year-old departs Molineux having struggled to break into Nuno's first-team picture on a regular basis, making just two appearances this season, both in the Carabao Cup.
He joins Villa, who sit 10th in the Championship under Dean Smith, five points from the play-off spots and 11 from the automatic promotion places.
He becomes Villa's second signing of the January transfer window - having already brought in goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic at the beginning of the month.
Smith had prioritised signing a defender this month, with James Chester the only fit senior centre back at the club ahead of Tommy Elphick's recall at the beginning of January - following Axel Tuanzebe's foot injury.
James Bree and Alan Hutton have both deputised in the heart of defence at various points this season.
"We're very pleased to have brought in someone with Kortney's quality." Smith said.
"With experience of playing at this level, he’ll be an important addition to our defensive options.”
He could feature for Villa as soon as this weekend, as they travel to Wigan looking to get back to winning ways following two consecutive league draws and a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea in the FA Cup.
Villa are understood to have insisted on the option to buy being included and this is set to become club policy for any future loan agreements.
Boss Dean Smith explained last week: "In the future if we take a loan deal there has to be an option where we can possible sign the player.
"Otherwise you are developing players for other teams. You want to be bringing in your own players, with whom you can build a squad for over the next few years."
