New Aston Villa signing makes pre-season headstart before meeting teammates

New Aston Villa signing Kosta Nedeljkovic is preparing for the new season and his first at the club after a winter transfer move

Aston Villa new signing Kosta Nedeljkovic has been spotted in training and in a Villa training top ahead of pre-season, which will begin next month. Villa players – at least those who haven’t been called up to represent their countries this summer – are currently enjoying a well-earned break after guiding the club into the Champions League under Unai Emery last season.

The new season kicks off in late August, to accommodate the ongoing Euro 2024, and while many players are currently away on holiday or relaxing at home, young defender Nedeljkovic is making a head start on preparations before he joins up with his new teammates later this summer.

Nedeljkovic agreed a permanent move to Villa Park in January, in a deal which could cost the Lions up to £10m, but he remained with Red Star Belgrade on a loan basis in the second half of last season. Sadly, Nedeljkovic’s remaining time with the Serbian side was ravaged by an injury picked up in the winter. He did have the opportunity to bid farewell and make a late return to action in May.

Now, though, Nedeljkovic is looking to get up to speed ahead of schedule this summer. Wearing a Villa training top and a pair of Red Star shorts, he is seen in the gym getting ready for the first of the five years that he is signed up for. Nedeljkovic will travel to the US with the Villa squad for their pre-season tour and then take on Athletic Bilbao in Walsall and Borussia Dortmund in Germany, before the curtain raiser at West Ham.

It remains to be seen what sort of role Nedeljkovic, who is only 18 but has Champions League experience with Red Star and played against Manchester City last season, will have immediately under Emery in his first campaign; the teenager will compete for a place at right-back, although fellow defender Matty Cash has interest himself this summer.

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