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Defender close to Aston Villa transfer, deal all but done
By Harry Sykes
Defender Niall Mason is close to quitting Aston Villa and joining League Two club Doncaster Rovers on a permanent basis.
The versatile defender, 20, is out of contract at Villa Park in the summer and admitted he is surplus to requirements at the club he joined in 2015.
Mason, who can play at centre-back or full-back, has spent this season on loan at Doncaster and has made such a big impression that he has been offered a permanent deal.
The Southampton academy product revealed that a deal is all but done for him to link up with the fourth-tier side from this summer and that he is keen to repay the faith shown in him by manager Darren Ferguson.
“I think we’re quite close to sorting something out,” said Mason to the Star, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers. “I’d be silly to turn something down like coming here.
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“The manager’s been fantastic and I have a lot to thank him for. He’s given me a chance to play and he’s fantastic to learn off.”
Mason confirmed he had spoken to Villa officials about his future and that they are not looking to tie him down to a contract extension.
“I think Villa would be happy for me to move on,” he said to the Star.
Mason has made 37 appearances for league leaders Doncaster this season and been an integral player in their promotion charge.
He is keen to repay the faith of manager Ferguson, the son of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
“That’s another reason why I think me coming here would be great because it obviously gives you a lot of confidence when a manager shows he has faith in you,” he said. “When a manager shows his faith in you, you just want to repay that and not let him down.”
In other Aston Villa transfer news, the club have been installed hot favourites to sign a 25-goal striker ripping up one of the world’s toughest leagues.
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