Egypt and Kasimpasa winger Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan has joined English Premier League club Aston Villa, the club said on Wednesday. "Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Mahmoud Hassan for an undisclosed fee, pending the issuance of a work visa and international clearance," the club said in a statement without disclosing further details. The 24-year-old winger was recently linked with a move away from his Turkish Kasimpasa amid reports that he preferred a move to England. The deal is estimated by British media at £8.5 million. "I'm happy to be here at one of the biggest clubs around. I hope I can help the team be successful – I will do my best," Trezeguet was quoted as saying by Aston Villa's official website. "I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League – it's a dream," he added. Team up with Elmohamady Trezeguet will be joining countryman Ahmed Elmohamady at newly promoted Aston Villa. "Ahmed is a good friend of mine. He's like my brother, who I've played with in the national team for five years," said Trezeguet. "He's my captain [on the national team] and always speaks with me about Aston Villa, saying it's an amazing club and that I'd be happy here. "I asked him a lot of questions. He will help me and believes I will help the team. "It will help having him here with me and I look forward to working with him again," he concluded. Trezeguet was one of the key players in Egypt's national team during their games in the recent 2019 Africa Cup of Nations; creating most of the Pharaohs' dangerous attacks. The trickster winger scored a goal and provided an assist for another one, after participating in all of Egypt's games in the AFCON. Unfortunately, the team was eliminated from round of 16. Smith hails 'Trez' The former Ahly player's notable performance at the AFCON had convinced Villa's coach Dean Smith to make a move to sign the Kasimpasa's winger amid interest from rival league Watford. "We're really excited to work with 'Trez'. I've watched him a number of times," Aston Villa coach Dean Smith told Villa's official website. "He's the type of wide player that we have been looking for who is direct, causes problems for the opposition in the final third, and scores goals," he added. Trezeguet, who joined Kasimpasa in July 2018 from Belgium's RSC Anderlecht, made 34 appearances in the Turkish league last season; scoring nine goals. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sportsand on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
