Borja Baston Completes Move From Swansea to Aston Villa on Free Transfer

​Aston Villa have completed the signing of Swansea striker Borja Baston on a free transfer. 

The 27-year-old has endured a tough few years since bagging 18 La Liga goals during the 2015/16 term for Eibar. He joined the Swans in the summer of 2016 but managed only four Premier League starts, scoring once for the Welsh side.

Average loan spells at Malaga and Alaves followed before he was given another chance at the Liberty Stadium. He got off to a strong start, netting six times and assisting once in ​Swansea's opening nine Championship games, but has since gone 12 games in all competitions without an attacking contribution.

He provide further depth up front for the Villans, who lost summer signing Wesley to injury earlier in January. The club statement from Villa revealed nothing about his contract length – but Swansea included the nugget that Tom Carroll has been released from his deal at the Liberty Stadium too. 

Baston becomes Villa's fourth first team signing this month, following deals for Mbwana Samatta, Danny Drinkwater and Pepe Reina. Louie Barry has also joined from Barcelona, though the 16-year-old is not expected to be involved in Dean Smith's squad anytime soon.

​Villa's form has picked up in recent weeks, with wins over ​Norwich, ​Burnley and ​Watford lifting them up to 16th in the Premier League, though the bottom half of the table remains tightly congested.

Games against Bournemouth, Tottenham and Southampton are up next for Villa, before they face Manchester City in the final of the Carabao Cup in March.

For more from Jude Summerfield, follow him on Twitter!