Nigel Reo-Coker will sign a four-year contract when he
finally completes his move to Aston Villa from West Ham in an
£8million deal.
The clubs have agreed on a compromise fee after Villa made an
initial £7million offer while the Hammers were looking for
£8-9million for a player who cost them £500,000 when he joined from
Wimbledon three and a half years ago.
It will be Villa manager Martin O'Neill's first summer signing -
with more expected to follow in the next few days.
But Reo-Coker will not join up straight away with his team-mates as
he will take a holiday after playing for his country during the
European Under-21 Championships.
That will follow on from him having minor hand surgery from an
injury sustained in Holland with the Under-21s.
O'Neill has been desperate to bring in new midfield blood as Gavin
McCann has moved to Bolton and Steven Davis is expected to join
Fulham in a £4million deal.
He has been tracking Reo-Coker since he handed in a transfer
request at the end of last season.
Manchester City made a late bid to try to lure Reo-Coker to
Eastlands but his first choice was always Villa.
O'Neill will then turn his attention to trying to sign Chelsea
winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and Tottenham striker Jermain
Defoe.
