Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe joins Aston Villa on loan as owner Dr Tony Xia welcomes first January signing with bizarre tweet
- Axel Tuanzebe will spend the rest of 2017-18 with promotion-chasing Aston Villa
- He made his Manchester United debut last January but has struggled for games
- Villa owner, Dr Tony Xia, welcomed Tuanzebe with a bizarre tweet on Thursday
- The 20-year-old says he is 'delighted' to have joined the Championship club
Aston Villa have completed their first signing of the January transfer window after bringing in Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe on loan.
The 20-year-old, who can play in defence and midfield, has joined the Championship club until the end of the season as they chase promotion to the Premier League.
Tuanzebe made his United debut in an FA Cup game against Wigan in January of last year, but has found first-team opportunities hard to come by under Jose Mourinho.
Axel Tuanzebe poses at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground after joining on loan
The Manchester United youngster will spend the rest of the season in the Championship
Villa announced the deal by tweeting: 'Retweet for a signing', before following it up with confirmation of Tuanzebe's arrival 15 minutes later.
The versatile youngster, who has also appeared in the Champions League, was also welcomed by the club's outspoken owner, Dr Tony Xia, with a bizarre tweet.
The Chinese businessman wrote on Twitter: 'Welcome to @AVFCofficial! (ATM - M)!' - using emojis to spell out Tuanzebe's initials.
Tuanzebe says he is delighted to have joined Villa as they target promotion to the top-flight
The 20-year-old will be hoping for regular playing time under Villa manager Steve Bruce
Speaking about his move to Villa Park, Tuanzebe told the club's official website: 'I am delighted to be here.
'It's an exciting time at this football club and everyone is pushing for promotion – that's the big aim, you can feel that here.
'I am determined to help this club achieve its goal.'
Most watched Sport videos
- Jake Paul presses Ryan Garcia on failed drug test during livestream
- Liverpool manager reflects on winning game against Tottenham
- Dana White's bizarre rant against Netflix during Tom Brady roast
- Brendan Fevola's daughter reveals he still plays footy in the park
- Tom Brady pokes fun at Bill Belichick for his doorbell footage
- Dad or Ronaldo? World Snooker Champ Wilson's kids keep him humble
- The Rock begins MMA training camp ahead of filming 'Smashing Machine'
- Boy aged 10 dies after freak cricket accident
- 'Hugely disappointing outcome': Spurs manager reflects on loss
- Crystal Palace manager reacts to strong win over Man Utd
- 'I did not enjoy today': Moyes rues West Ham defeat to Chelsea
- Drew Bledsoe makes THAT Gisele joke during Tom Brady roast