Aston Villa confirm signing of Kosta Nedeljković | OneFootball

Aston Villa has today confirmed the signing of Kosta Nedeljković in a deal said to be worth around £7.75 million including add-ons.

Nedeljković has signed from Red Star Belgrade and will remain in Serbia for the rest of the season before linking up with his new teammates.

The youngster has described Villa as an impressive club when speaking recently to Serbian media outlet Mozzard Sport: “This kind of offer from Aston Villa is extremely impressive to me. I am very excited & it means a lot for my self-confidence. I hope that everything will go well in Birmingham at the signing of the contract, & then I will return to Serbia.”

Who is Kosta Nedeljković?

Kosta, who turned 18 in December, is a highly-rated right-back who came through the Red Star academy. He signed his first professional deal in February 2021 and continued his development in the Red Star Academy before joining RFK Grafičar Beograd of the Serbian First League for the second half of the 2022-23 season.

During the loan spell, he made 21 appearances, scoring 1 goal for the Violets.

He made his first appearance for the Red Star first team this season and has gone on to make 12 appearances (at the time of writing). Kosta has also represented Serbia at all levels up to the u19 national team.

Described as raw and far from the finished article, Nedeljković is no slouch, recording a top speed of 36.4 km/h which is comparable with the likes of Kylian Mbappé.

He has been described as a player with huge potential, a good crosser of the ball, disciplined and able to defend while also being a threat going forward.

It is unclear what Unai Emery’s plans are for the young Serb long term but it is clear the Basque boss wants more competition for Matty Cash at right-back. Ezri Konsa has been moved out of his stronger centre-half position recently while Kane Kesler-Hayden has also been re-called from his loan spell in the Championship with Plymouth.