Spurs midfielder signs for Villa

Last updated : 30 August 2002 By Holtender

The Norwegian international, who was in the last year of his current contract, has jumped at the chance to resurrect his first-team career at Villa and has signed a one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

Taylor yesterday signed Leonhardsens Norwegian international team-mate Ronnie Johnsen on a free-transfer.

Taylor told the club's official website: “The thing that has pleased me most about it is he doesn't want to just sit at Spurs on his contract. He could have just stayed there.

”He is so hungry because of last year at Spurs when he wasn't being considered by Glenn. We have given him a one-year contract with a one-year option and he is very confident he will do well.”

“What I see in him is that he is an excellent professional. He can play wide on the right or in central midfield. He is full of energy and he is just 32.

”He has bags of experience with Liverpool and Spurs. He is the sort of person I'm looking for because he can go on from midfield."