“I’m glad it’s ok now” – Relief to finally be an Aston Villa player after long term chase

Even before the mid-season transfer window opened on January 1st, Aston Villa had long been chasing Lovre Kalinic.

Move in the past fell apart due to work permit issues, but it wasn’t the case this time around as the 28-year-old finally got his move to Villa Park and he’s glad it’s all sorted now.

“Three years ago I was already close to Aston Villa, but then I did not get a work permit, I’m glad that it’s okay now,” the World Cup finalist was quoted as saying by HLN.

The stopper made his debut in his side’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea City in the FA Cup, and on his league debut he conceded three goals against Wigan Athletic.

Aston Villa are 12th in the Championship table with 38 points and are five points behind sixth placed Derby County. The keeper never won silverware during his time at Gent, but has now set his sights on helping his current employer get promoted to the Premier League.

“I owe this transfer thanks to my time at Gent. I am grateful to the club and the team for this,” he said.

“The only thing I regret is that I have not been able to give AA Gent a trophy, and I hope that Gent will be the playoffs.

“The club [Villa] wants to go back to the Premier League as soon as possible and I want to help.”