BULAWAYO bred Zimbabwe international footballer Marvelous Nakamba penned a five-year deal with English top-flight side Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The central midfielder becomes the third Zimbabwean to play in the EPL after Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari.

An eletated Nakamba confirmed signing for Villa, a week after Belgium giants Club Brugge and Villa reportedly agreed on a £11 million transfer fee.

“I’ve just signed a five-year deal and I’m happy. I just thank God for His blessings,” said Nakamba.

The former Highlanders juniors and Bantu Rovers star has previously played for Nantes in France, Vittesse of Holland before joining Brugge where he spent two seasons, helping the Belgians win the 2017/18 championship.

Nakamba is set to become Zimbabwe’s highest earning footballer ever following reports that he will earn an eye-watering £55,000-a-week (US$ 67 000) in addition to a multi-million pound signing-on fee.

The 25 year-old Warriors star becomes Aston Villa’s 11th signing as the Dean Smith-managed side take their summer spending past the £125million mark during the current transfer window period.

Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes has already arrived at Villa Park in a deal worth around £22million, a club record until it was surpassed shortly afterwards by the £26 million Tyrone Mings transfer.

Nakamba represented Zimbabwe at the African Cup of Nations this summer, but only featured in their opening-match defeat to Egypt as injury ruled him out of the remainder of their unsuccessful group stage campaign.

He made 67 appearances in two seasons for Brugge, including starts in four of their six Champions League group games last season.

Nakamba’s impending move makes him the fourth Zimbabwean to play in the English Premiership after Bruce Grobbelaar, Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari.

Nottingham Forrest defender Tendayi Darikwa won the English Championship title with Burnley but was never given a minute of action in the Premiership.

Not since 2011, when Benjani left Blackburn, has Zimbabwe had a player in the English top-flight league, which is widely regarded as the best football championship.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer