Aston Villa sign Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer

Aston Villa have signed Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer after his contract with Bayern Munich expired at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 31-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with the Premier League club, according to Sky Sport Germany. Goretzka had previously been linked with moves to Italian side Milan and Spanish giants Barcelona earlier in the summer.

Goretzka becomes the latest addition to an ambitious Aston Villa squad preparing to compete in the Champions League after Unai Emery’s side finished fourth in the Premier League last season.

The midfielder made 48 appearances for Bayern Munich in his final campaign, scoring five goals and providing five assists. He leaves the German club having established himself as an experienced presence in midfield across domestic and European competition.

Across his career, Goretzka has played 541 matches in all competitions for Bochum, Schalke and Bayern Munich. He has scored 102 goals and registered 82 assists during that time.

His move to Aston Villa adds further experience to a transfer window in which the club have also recruited Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alejandro Garnacho, Modo Keba Cisse, Matteo Ruggeri, Zion Suzuki, Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi.

Aston Villa’s season has begun with a defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the European Super Cup. They were beaten 2-1 by the French champions before suffering a heavy loss in their opening Premier League fixture, going down 4-0 to Brighton.

Their second league match is against Arsenal on Monday, in the final game of the second round of Premier League fixtures.

Goretzka joined Bayern Munich from Schalke and spent the later part of his career at one of Europe’s most successful clubs. His signing gives Aston Villa another high-profile option as they balance their domestic campaign with Champions League football.

The England-based club are looking to build on last season’s fourth-place finish, which secured their place among Europe’s leading teams. Goretzka’s arrival on a free transfer provides the side with a midfielder who has extensive experience at the highest level and a substantial record of goals and assists.