Aston Villa have signed University of North Carolina defender Eric Lichaj.

The 18-year-old, who was in his second year of study, has moved to England after impressing Villa boss Martin O'Neill while performing for the United States Under 17 and Under 20 sides.

The defender is currently side-lined with a broken foot, but he becomes Villa's first signing from across the Atlantic since American businessman Randy Lerner bought the club in 2006.

"Eric has signed a two-year deal with options," Lichaj's agent Steve Kelly told Yanks Abroad.

"He will initially be playing in the reserves, but his goal is to some day play for the first-team.

"He was injured before he signed, but they saw his talent before that. He won't be playing until at least September."