Black Stars siblings to grace Premier League
Ghana’s 23-year-old striker Jordan Ayew could play against his brother Andre here on British soil this season as an Aston Villa player after agreeing the terms of a five year deal this week.
Jordan’s transfer from French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient comes weeks after Andre Ayew signed for Swansea City from Marseilles, also from Ligue 1.
The siblings, whose father is Abedi Pele – considered by many the best player ever to come out of Africa, both suffered the disappointment of losing in the final of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations to an unfancied, post-‘golden generation’ Ivory Coast.
Aston Villa were in the market for a striker after selling Belgium’s Zaire-born goal-scorer Christian Benteke to Liverpool for £32.5m. Ayew’s arrival follows Villa’s summer acquisition of fellow Ligue 1 players, French-born Jordan Amavi and Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye.
Villa boss Tim Sherwood said of his newest acquisition, who scored 12 goals in 29 appearances for FC Lorient last season: “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.”
Ayew himself is delighted to have sealed his move to the English top-flight and revealed it took him just 10 seconds to make up his mind about joining Villa.
“When I spoke to the coach I knew this was the place for me. He has so much enthusiasm and determination for the game of football,” he said, adding: “It took 10 seconds to work out he was the right coach for me and Aston Villa was the right team.
“I am the happiest man in the world. It’s one of my greatest days in football.
“My dream was to play for a big team in England – and Aston Villa is undoubtedly one of the greats in English football.”
The fee Aston Villa paid for Ayew’s services has not been disclosed, but is believed to be in the region of £12m.
Andre Ayew, whose contract at Marseilles was allowed to run down, has joined Swansea on a four-year deal.
“It’s the best place to be, the best league, and to play against the best players,” Ayew told Sky Sports News.
“Swansea have being doing well since they’ve been in the Premier League, showing great football skills and always going forward with the ball.
“So with my style of play and with the mentality that the club has, it was normal for me to choose a club like Swansea.
“I’m going to do everything to be ready so as not to need time to adapt.
“I need to just come here and start the pre-season and get used to it before the season starts.”
Andre said he had been approached by other Premier League teams but that it was the Swansea culture that helped him choose the Welsh club.
“I took my time, looked left and right, and I thought the best choice for me to go as a player was Swansea. Not only football-wise but I heard also about the squad and how the players live together and the team spirit in the squad, so I thought that was a great move for me, to come here.”
