Aston Villa finalise new five-year contract for midfielder Boubacar Kamara
The Athletic reported on July 18 that Villa were optimistic the 25-year-old would sign a new deal, with two years left on his existing terms, after they had made a contract offer to him in April.
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Kamara had been waiting to see if the Birmingham-based club would qualify for the Champions League but, despite missing out on the final qualifying spot last season, he has committed to a new deal regardless.
The France international joined Villa from Marseille in the summer of 2022 and has made 97 appearances for them, scoring twice. He sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in February 2024 but since his return he has been a regular in head coach Unai Emery's side.
Last season, the midfielder made 42 appearances for Villa, despite also picking up a hamstring issue which caused him to miss three games.
Kamara has made five senior international appearances for France after playing in their youth sides.
Analysis by Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell
There is a widely held school of thought that Kamara is Villa's most important player, which is why they are so determined to keep him.
The midfielder had been keeping his options open at the end of last season, following Villa narrowly missing out on Champions League football, with several high-calibre clubs interested, as well as admiration from Saudi Arabia.
The France international is the glue in Villa's midfield and has struck up an excellent partnership with Villa's best player last season, Youri Tielemans. Provided Kamara can stay fit for the duration of the campaign, having been out with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last summer, it should make a huge impact to how Villa's season unfolds.
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