Villa seal Harewood deal
Last updated : 18 July 2007 By Martin Aston
The 27-year-old has now agreed a three-year deal at Villa Park, opting to joing Martin O'Neill's side ahead of Wigan having been on the verge of joining the Latics. "Other teams wanted him but he's prepared to come here and challenge to try and work his way into the team," said the Villa manager. "If he can recapture the form he showed in the two seasons before last, he will definitely be a big asset."
Harewood was told he was surplus to requirements at Upton Park and Birmingham had a bid rejected for in June for the man that cost the Hammers £500,000 from Nottingham Forest in November 2003. Harewood was one of the successes of their first season back in the top flight in 2005/06 scoring 16 goals, including a hat-trick against Villa at Upton Park. He netted just four times in 35 appearances last time around.
He follows Nigel Reo-Coker in leaving Upton Park for Villa this summer and, not renowned for his intellect, he is grateful for a familiar face. "I'm delighted to join Villa and I think I've come at a really exciting time for the club," he told the club's website. "I want to recapture the form I showed a couple of seasons ago, when West Ham got into the cup final and we did so well in the league. My mate Nigel Reo-Coker has already signed and I know all about his qualities, so I'm just really pleased to be on board."
