Australia’s Holman to join Villa from AZ Alkmaar

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP)—Aston Villa says Australia midfielder Brett Holman has agreed to join the Premier League club at the end of the season when his contract with Dutch leader AZ Alkmaar expires.

The 27-year-old Holman has spent a decade in the Netherlands, having initially signed for Feyenoord before spells with Excelsior and NEC Nijmegen.

Villa manager Alex McLeish says Holman is “a very intelligent player … who is recognized in the game as a nonstop, committed wide midfielder player.”

Holman has played 53 matches for Australia, and McLeish expects he “will add significantly to the experience in the Villa squad.”

Holman says he is pleased to be joining a club with “a long and prestigious history in English football.”