CONFIRMED! Aston Villa sign forward Jordan Ayew from Lorient on five-year contract

Aston Villa have completed the signing of striker Jordan Ayew from Lorient.

Villa assistant boss Ray Wilkins confirmed on Monday morning that the club were close to securing a deal for the 23-year-old.

And Ayew has now put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Villa manager Tim Sherwood said: "I'm really pleased to bring Jordan to the football club.

"He is a fantastic young player who is perfectly suited to the Premier League."

The fee for Ayew, who struck 12 goals for Lorient in Ligue 1 last season, has not been disclosed but is understood to be in the region of £9million.

The Ghana international joins Jordan Amavi, Idrissa Gueye and Micah Richards in moving to Villa Park this summer.

Jose Angel Crespo could be next in, after his club Cordoba announced they had accepted an offer from Villa for the Spanish full-back.