Kodjia joins Villa in deal that may set second tier record

Football Soccer - Milton Keynes Dons v Bristol City - Sky Bet Football League Championship - Stadium MK - 20/2/16 Jonathan Kodjia celebrates after scoring the second goal for Bristol City Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex Morton Livepic/Files

LONDON (Reuters) - Aston Villa have bought striker Jonathan Kodjia from second tier rivals Bristol City for 11 million pounds ($14.39 million) in a deal that could rise to 15 million, a record for a Championship club.

The signing of the Ivory Coast international surpasses Villa's previous Championship record of 12 million pounds, potentially rising to 14 million pounds, for Fulham's Ross McCormack earlier this month.

"He is a proven goalscorer and hopefully he'll play an important part in what we hope will be a successful season for the club," Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo said in a statement on Tuesday.

Kodjia netted 19 goals in 43 appearances for City last season having moved from French club Angers in July 2015.

Villa, who are 16th in the table, were relegated from the Premier League last season for the first time since it was formed in 1992.

($1 = 0.7644 pounds)

(Reporting by Mark Greaves; Editing by Tony Jimenez)