Transfer news: Aston Villa sign Lazio striker Libor Kozak in £7m deal

The Czech Republic international has signed a four-year contract

Libor Kozak (GETTY IMAGES)

Aston Villa have signed Libor Kozak from Lazio in a deal thought to be in the region of £7m.

The striker, who stands at 6ft 4in, has signed a four-year contract.

The 24-year-old rose to prominence last season thanks to topping the scoring charts in the Europa League with eight goals for Lazio.

"We've been on this one for the last few months, trying to bring him to the Club, so I'm delighted to get it across the line." said Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert.

"Libor has an unbelievable scoring record in the Europa League, incredible really. He wasn't given much opportunity for Lazio in Serie A but he showed proper potential in leading the line there at a strong club with a great tradition and we need somebody like him as we only have Christian Benteke really as a main target man.

The signing of Kozak would appear to be designed to take the pressure off Christian Benteke.

"He'll take that burden off Christian and he'll add greatly to what we've got," said Lambert.

Kozak, who has four caps for the Czech Republic, said: "I'm really happy to be at Aston Villa and I'm ready for this new step in my career.

"I hope it's a good step for me and also for Villa because everything is about the team. This is a big club, a very historic club with a fantastic fanbase and, for me, this is really important. From when I was a young boy, I have dreamt of playing in the Premier League and to do this with a club such as Villa is incredibly motivating. It's real now and I'm very happy about this."