Aston Villa sign Swansea striker on short-term deal

 

Championship side Swansea have confirmed Borja Baston has joined Aston Villa on a free transfer until the end of the season.

 

The Premier League struggler have been on the market for new strikers this month following Wesley's season-ending injury.

 

Villa signed Mbwana Samatta from Genk for £8.5m earlier in the window and have now reinforced their offensive options with Baston's arrival.

 

The 27-year-old was considered a coup for Swansea when the Welsh outfit signed the Spaniard from Atletico Madrid in 2016 but he quickly proved a huge flop.

 

Baston has endured two loan stints back to Spain since then, where he managed just seven goals in 47 appearances across spells at Alaves and Malaga, before returning to Swansea this season.

 

Aston Villa sign Swansea striker on short-term deal

 

The Spanish striker started 15 league games for Swansea this season and made a further five appearances from the bench but only managed six goals in that time.

 

Baston is the fifth new arrival at VIlla this month and concludes a very underwhelming window of business for Dean Smith's side.

 

Danny Drinkwater and Pepe Reina were also signed as part of Villa's short-term strategy, while Louie Barry's arrival from Barcelona is one for the future.