Marcus Rashford, a forward for Manchester United, has officially joined Aston Villa on loan.
The 27-year-old signed a contract with a buyout option that runs through the end of the current campaign.
According to United insiders, the rules guarantee that Rashford will receive at least 75% of his pay. Villa is not making loan payments.
Writing on Instagram Rashford said: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.
“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions. Also I just want to play football and am excited to get started.
“I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”
Speaking after he was dropped for the Manchester derby in December, England international Rashford said he was “ready for a new challenge”.
Marco Asensio, a midfielder for Spain, is also close to joining Villa on loan from Paris St-Germain.
After Villa’s 2-0 loss to relegation-threatened Wolves on Saturday, manager Unai Emery declared the team “need new players.”
In January, they signed Dutch forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund and Spanish full-back Andres Garcia from Levante. However, Villa sold center-back Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce for about £8.45 million and Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League for £71 million.
However, due to injuries to Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, the Villans were obliged to start central midfielder Boubacar Kamara in the center of defense after England attacker Ollie Watkins was sidelined on Saturday.
