Aston Villa has completed the signing of Evann Guessand and Nice for a reimbursement of approximately £ 28 million.
The 24-year-old will be Villa's first major signing of the transfer window.
Able to play as a striker or wide out, Guessand 21 scored goals in 109 performances for Nice, while giving 15 assists.
Guessand outlined the most important part that Villa -Baas Unai Emery played to take him to the club.
Council and told the official website of Villa: 'Really happy to be here. I was waiting a long time ago, and now I am just excited to start the game, see the fans and my teammates, start training with them.
'I watched the Aston Villa matches in the past seasons and then we started talking to the coach.
'To be honest, our conversations were the most important point, because he really is the person who convinced me to come here, and of course we know the career of this coach.
'Long ago I saw him in the French competition, and he is known for the way he improved the players with whom he used to work, so I thought about this.
'I am a young player and I want to improve. I have many qualities that can improve, so when I spoke with the coach, (I knew) that this is the right coach for me to get better and better. '
Guessand developed well during loan spells at Lausanne-Sport and Nantes.
12 of his goals for Nice arrived in Ligue 1 last season when he had a big impact.
Despite the fact that he has represented France, his native country, at youth level, he now plays for Ivory Coast on the Senior Podium and once scored in ten performances.