Aston Villa youngster Barry Bannan has welcomed the club's signing of Australian midfielder Brett Holman.
The 27-year old Socceroos star will join Villa at the end of the season from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar after agreeing a pre-contract deal earlier this week and fellow midfielder Bannan is looking forward to having another quality man in the middle at Villa Park.
"The gaffer clearly thinks he is a player who will add something and that's going to keep everyone on their toes. That's what competition does and it's healthy.
"The fact he's played in the Champions League and at a World Cup underlines his quality and at 27 years old he will be at the peak of his game.
"AZ Alkmaar are competing for the Dutch title again and he'll be arriving on a high if they can win another championship.
"He wants to come to the Premier League after a decade in Holland and that's a sign of his ambition.
"I'm sure he has a good, settled life there but he wants to come here to face a fresh challenge, which is great. A new signing coming in gives supporters a lift too.
"Brett will be made very welcome at Aston Villa. He's already been to the training ground to have a look around and I think he met one or two of the lads.""I think it's a good signing and I think Brett will contribute a lot to the experience and quality of the squad," Bannan told the Birmingham Mail.
