Aston Villa confirm signing of Red Star Belgrade defender Kosta Nedeljkovic

The announcement was made by Aston Villa that they have successfully acquired defender Kosta Nedeljkovic from Red Star Belgrade.

The West Midlands team is now looking for short-term solutions to bolster their roster while they contend for the Premier League championship.

But as evidenced by the long-term signing of Nedeljkovic, head coach Unai

Emery and the team’s recruitment team also have an eye toward the future.

The 18-year-old has been a vital member of Red Star’s right-hand side of the defense in his debut season of senior football.

There have been eighteen appearances overall across all competitions, four of

which have been in the Champions League, when the player played for 78

minutes against Manchester City in December.

His level of performance during that contest has seemingly contributed to Villa pushing to get a deal over the line for what is described as an ‘undisclosed fee’.

Nevertheless, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that the fee that has been agreed by both clubs is €7.6m (£6.5m).

Rather than immediately challenging for a spot in Emery’s squad, the teenager is

being allowed to spend the remainder of the campaign in Serbia with his current club.

Red Star currently sit one point adrift of leaders and rivals Partizan Belgrade, as

well as nine points clear of the chasing pack.

Villa plan to assess the development of Nedeljkovic – a Serbia Under-19

international – in the summer with the player naturally hoping to challenge for

a spot in Premier League games from next season onwards.

Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash have been used at right-back during 2023-24, while Calum Chambers has been told

that he is free to leave Villa Park before the end of the January transfer window.