Done deal: 26-year-old signs after Aston Villa settle terms

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Published on:

27 Aug 2016, 6:19 am

By Tom Blackburn

Joe Bennett has joined Cardiff from Aston Villa in a permanent deal, it was announced on Saturday.

Cardiff announced on Twitter and their official website that the 26-year-old defender has signed a three-year deal and that the transfer is subject to international clearance.

The left-back, who has become the Bluebirds' sixth summer signing, is not eligible to play for his new club in Saturday's clash against Reading because he was not registered in time.

.@JoeBennett27 joins up with the #Bluebirds from @AVFCOfficial - he will wear the No.3 shirt at #CardiffCity! #CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) August 27, 2016

Aston Villa's Twitter-friendly chairman Tony Xia revealed on Friday that the club had agreed to allow Bennett to join Cardiff on a free transfer.

We have agreed to let Joe move to Cardiff for free but not subside any wages . Wish him a bright career there as many SW fans expected!
— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) August 26, 2016

The return of left-back Jordan Amavi, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear last season as well as Aly Cissokho pushed Bennett, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, down the pecking order at Villa Park.

The Birmingham Mail reported earlier in August that Xia had pulled the plug on the 26-year-old full-back moving back to Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

The full-back was entering the final year of his contract at Villa Park after making just 38 appearances for the club during his four-year stay.

He signed from Middlesbrough in 2012, costing Aston Villa £2.75million.

Bennett played in just one Capital One Cup match for the Midlands side last season in which the club suffered relegation to the Championship, as the defender had an unsuccessful loan spell at Bournemouth as well as Wednesday.

In other Aston Villa transfer news, Xia reveals they are close to signing an attacking midfielder.

Aston Villa

Joe Bennett