Kodjia departs for Villa in club record sale
Posted: Tue 30 Aug 2016
Author: Mark Perrow
image:
http://www.bcfc.co.uk/cms_images/player/kodjia43213-3280090_613x460.jpgJonathan Kodjia
Jonathan Kodjia
Image by: jmpuk.com
City receive fee worth up to £15m for striker.
Kodjia departs for Villa as City's club record sale after clubs agree £15m fee
Striker signs a four-year deal at Villa Park
Ivory Coast international scored 20 goals in 52 City appearances
City have agreed a club record sale of Jonathan Kodjia to Aston Villa for a fee worth up to £15m.
The deal is more than four times the club’s previous record of £3.5m set when Ade Akinbiyi joined Wolves in September 1999.
The striker has signed a four-year contract at Villa Park after undergoing a medical with the Midlands club, who will pay an initial £11m for his services.
Kodjia, 26, arrived at Ashton Gate from French side Angers SCO last summer and went on to make 52 appearances in a City shirt.
His landmark 20th goal of last season, against Huddersfield Town, would be his last for the club.
Paris-born Kodjia also made his international debut for Ivory Coast during his time in BS3, scoring on his second cap against Gabon in June.
Chief operating officer Mark Ashton said: “We want to build the club in the right way and we’ve had a very active and positive summer in the transfer market.
“We’ve continually told Jonathan that we don’t want him to go, but recently he’s made it clear that he’s aware of the interest of other clubs and that he wanted to leave.
“After lengthy discussions with (head coach) Lee Johnson, the board and importantly (majority shareholder) Steve Lansdown, we felt that if we got the right offer we would allow him to leave.
“We have turned down several bids from other Championship clubs and also clubs in the Premier League.
“On Saturday night I spoke to Aston Villa and explained to them our detailed valuation and payment terms. Villa agreed to match those terms and subsequently permission was given for Jonathan to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.
“This is the largest fee this club has ever received and once again shows how far we are progressing and the high regard in which our players are held.
“Due to the high profile nature and speculation surrounding the deal we have chosen to disclose the fee. We will receive a total of £11m guaranteed, which has the potential to rise to £15m. In addition, we have retained a sell-on clause for a percentage of any future profit.”
Read more at
http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/kodjia-departs-for-villa-in-club-record-sale-3280055.aspx#4CBp6iwIPxr1ZRTP.99