Aston Villa have completed the signing of João Gomes, with the Brazil midfielder joining on a permanent transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday. The 25-year-old becomes the club's second recruit of the summer, arriving just one day after fellow midfielder Johan Manzambi.
Villa are understood to have paid an initial fee in the region of £34m, with a further £4m possible in add-ons, taking the total potential value of the deal to around £38m. Gomes also becomes just the sixth Brazilian to represent the club.
The midfielder landed at Bodymoor Heath, Villa's training base, where he signed his paperwork, posed for photographs and sat down for his first interview with VillaTV. Villa released a set of images from his first day as a Villan.
João Gomes to Aston Villa: the key details
- Player: João Gomes, central midfielder
- Age: 25
- From: Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Fee: around £34m initial, rising to a reported £38m with add-ons
- Transfer type: permanent
- Summer arrival: Villa's second, after Johan Manzambi
- Milestone: sixth Brazilian to represent Aston Villa
From Flamengo to the Premier League
Gomes arrived in English football in January 2023, joining Wolves from his boyhood club Flamengo, where he had won the Copa Libertadores. He went on to make 130 appearances across three and a half seasons at Molineux, establishing himself as one of the division's most combative midfielders.
Last season brought relegation for Wolves despite Gomes featuring in 35 league games, and the Brazil international was overlooked for Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad. His departure this summer had looked increasingly likely, and Villa moved to secure his signature after reshaping their midfield.
Why Aston Villa moved for Gomes
Unai Emery's side have been rebuilding through the middle of the pitch. The sale of Youri Tielemans, combined with a long-term injury to Amadou Onana, left Villa short of senior options in central midfield. Gomes, a ball-winner with the energy to cover ground across 90 minutes, addresses that need directly.
His arrival follows that of Johan Manzambi, giving Emery two fresh midfield options as Villa prepare for another demanding domestic and European campaign.
Warm words from Wolves
Wolves technical director Matt Jackson offered a glowing send-off, describing Gomes as a model professional, a fine young man and a dedicated family man. He added that Gomes is the kind of player coaches and team-mates both love, and predicted he would go on to become the outstanding player Wolves always believed he would be.
Matt Jackson, Wolves technical directorThe bigger picture at Villa Park
Gomes joins a squad that finished in the Premier League's upper reaches last season and returned to European competition. You can track how the new signing measures up against the club's long-serving names on the Aston Villa Premier League Appearances page, while the Aston Villa Squad Numbers record shows every shirt handed out since 1992-93.
For a wider view of the club's history and statistics, the Aston Villa Top Scorers and Aston Villa club hub collect the numbers behind Emery's evolving side.
João Gomes to Aston Villa: FAQ
Everything you need to know about João Gomes' move to Aston Villa, from the fee to what it means for Unai Emery's midfield.
Who have Aston Villa signed from Wolves?
Aston Villa have signed Brazil midfielder João Gomes on a permanent transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
How much did João Gomes cost Aston Villa?
Villa are reported to have paid an initial fee of around £34m, rising to about £38m with add-ons.
What number Aston Villa signing is João Gomes this summer?
He is Villa's second summer signing, arriving one day after fellow midfielder Johan Manzambi.
How many Brazilians have played for Aston Villa?
Gomes is the sixth Brazilian to represent the club.
Why did Aston Villa sign João Gomes?
Villa strengthened central midfield following the sale of Youri Tielemans and a long-term injury to Amadou Onana, adding a ball-winner for Unai Emery's side.