---
title: "Villa confirm signing of Samba"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2017/07/20/villa-confirm-signing-of-samba/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Features & Analysis"
published: "2017-07-20T20:04:18Z"
modified: "2017-07-20T20:10:43Z"
---

# Villa confirm signing of Samba

[Aston Villa have officially confirmed](https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2017/07/20/transfer-news-samba-signs) the signing of Chris Samba on a free transfer.

The central defender has signed a one-year deal with Villa, which could be extended if he impresses in the Championship this season.

Samba has been training with the Villa first team in order to keep up his fitness and caught Steve Bruce’s eye in his few friendly appearances.

The 33-year-old helped Villa to keep clean sheets against Telford and Walsall.

Samba has been without a club since he left Panathinaikos in January and has now found his club for next season, playing at Villa Park.

Villa are in the market for central defensive reinforcements this summer and Samba could be a cheap, experienced, option for Steve Bruce to bolster his ranks.

Samba has seven years of [Premier League](https://readpl.com/) experience, having been at Blackburn and QPR in the past so is already well accustomed to English football.