Aston Villa signs Danish Superliga player of the 2012-13 season
After flirting with relegation last season, Villa are taking early steps in ensuring a better finish than the 15th position they ended last season in. An early dip into the transfer market shows their intent for the next season.
Last week, Paul Lambert added two more bright young European talents to his first-team squad. Defender Jores Okore and winger Leandro Bacuna have joined from Nordsjaelland and FC Groningen respectively for fees totaling to about €5.7 million. Okore, 20, already has seven full Denmark caps to his name while Bacuna, 21, boasts over 120 appearances for his Dutch club, as well as caps at Under 21 level for Holland.
And today, Villa completed perhaps their biggest signing in the form of Danish international Nicklas Helenius from Aalborg.
Player Profile:
| Name in native country: | Nicklas Helenius Jensen |
| Date of birth: | 08.05.1991 |
| Place of birth: | Svenstrup |
| Age: | 22 |
| Height: | 1,96 |
| Nationality: | Denmark |
| Position: | Striker – Centre Forward |
| Foot: | right |
| Market value: | 1.500.000 € |
| Player’s agent: | Sports Entertainment Group |
Helenius scored 16 goals in 33 league appearances last season and also made seven assists. In the 2011-12 season, he scored 13 goals in 32 league games and for the past two seasons, finished runner-up in the Superliga’s Golden Boot award.
The Dane is a typical target man with his 1.96m frame a natural advantage which he uses potently. He is quite dangerous in the box. He’s also good off the ball, creating space for his teammates and his composure carries over to his spot-kicks as well.
Helenius has played alongside fellow new Villa signing Jores Okore in the Denmark international team and also at Under-21 level and the Villa manager is certain that the big forward, who was named Danish Superliga player of the 2012-13 season by UEFA, will prove to be a big hit with the club’s fanbase in the years ahead.
The 22-year-old, 6ft 5ins striker will relish playing along with Christian Benteke and the partnership has real potential considering how young both of them are. With Andreas Weimann having just signed a new contract, and Gabby Agbonlahor ever present, it presents Villa a nice plethora of options up front.
Having already signed Aleksandar Tonev, Nicklas Helenius becomes Villa’s fourth recruit of the summer. With Jean Makoun making his loan move to Stade Rennais FC permanent and the likes of Lichaj and Dunne leaving Villa’s shores, it already promises a changed look Villa side in the next season.