Villa acquire Beye

Aston Villa have signed defender Habib Beye from Newcastle United on a three-year contract.

The Senegal international right-back arrives for an undisclosed fee from the relegated Magpies.

Beye, 31, follows Stewart Downing and Fabian Delph to Villa Park as their third major summer signing.

Hull City looked like favourites to sign the player when chairman Paul Duffen announced that they had agreed a fee with Newcastle on Thursday.

The lure of European football appears to have proved too much of a temptation for Beye, who could not help the Magpies to stay up last season.

Aston Villa begin their Barclays Premier League campaign at home to Wigan Athletic on 15th August.

"I think Villa is a great football club," he said. "I was really happy when my agent told me Villa were interested. I just said `Get it done'. I wanted to sign for this club.

"It's going to be great working for Martin O'Neill because Villa have a great team. I am so proud now to play here.

"It was important for me to stay in the Barclays Premier League and I am really happy I have with Villa. Newcastle are a massive club but everybody knows the problems at the moment.

"I think joining Villa is a great step for me. I signed my contract this afternoon and I'm really glad. I now hope I will be successful with Villa."