Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos has admitted he left Sevilla with a ‘broken heart’ this summer.
The Brazilian centre-back moved to Villa Park last month, joining in a £27.9m deal in one of several big moves from Steven Gerrard’s side already.
The move to Aston Villa brings an end to a three-year stay at Sevilla, where the Brazilian has established himself as a key player, particularly in their Europa League success.
The transfer has been sanctioned by the Spanish side as they seek to balance the books this summer after several years of not securing big departures but repeated incomings and new signings.
Both they and Carlos have admitted that in an ideal world, they would not be separating, with the player forming a strong bond with the La Liga side during his time with them.
That’s something he’s reiterated today at a farewell presentation with the club, which saw the Aston Villa signing in tears as he said his goodbyes.
“Thank you, Sevilla; I’m leaving but here remains a Sevillista; I will be here forever; I have my son who has had the immense pleasure of being born in this blessed city.
“I’m sure I’m going to see them (his old teammates) again. I’m leaving with a broken heart. Seeing them training… it’s been three years of training together, and I wish them luck.
“I don’t have just one (memory); every day, there were good moments. With a lot of joy, there was never a sad day. With all the problems we have had, with the pandemic and everything that has happened, we have tried to be at the top.
“I wanted to say goodbye personally. I left Birmingham yesterday by car to London. Sevilla didn’t deserve a farewell on Instagram or social media.”
