Aston Villa have completed the signing of Colombian defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez from Spanish club Elche on a four-year deal.
Colombia's Carlos Sanchez joins Aston Villa from Elche
The Colombia international joined Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.
The 28-year-old, nicknamed "The Rock", played for his country at this summer's World Cup in Brazil, starting four games as the South Americans reached the quarter-finals.
Sanchez is Paul Lambert's fifth signing of the summer but is not expected to play against Stoke City on Saturday as he is yet to train with his new team-mates.
Lambert said: "Carlos is a very experienced professional who played a prominent role in a Colombian team which captured everyone's imagination at this summer's World Cup in Brazil. He's a great coup for Villa.
"He does the simple things really well and he's excellent at spotting the danger, dealing with it and keeping it simple.
"His physical strength, too, is something we will benefit from in the middle of the pitch and his role will be a really important one for the team.
Sanchez, who played for Valenciennes in France for six years before moving to Spanish outfit Elche last summer, said: "I'm delighted to be here. It was always my aim to play in this country and in this league."
"We've beaten other teams to bring him here to Villa and I'm delighted as we needed someone of his ilk to come in. He'll be an excellent player for the club."
"I'm delighted to be here, it's something I have always dreamed of and it is very important for me to be here at Aston Villa, not only for me but for my family as well," Sanchez said.
"It was always my aim to play in this country and in this league and I know Villa well as Juan Pablo (Angel, his compatriot) also played here.
"I began to watch Villa games when he came in 2001. He was a goalscorer who was very important to this club and I followed his time here because he was always scoring goals.
"Since I was a boy I have always followed English football, particularly teams where Colombians have played.
"When I had the chance to come to this club I had no doubts because I know this is a big club in the Premier League."
Villa, who have also signed Joe Cole, Philippe Senderos, Kieran Richardson and Aly Cissokho this summer, kick off their league campaign at Stoke City on Saturday.
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