Aston Villa have revealed that Jhon Duran will wear the No.22 shirt at the club, as Juan Pablo Angel made a brilliant appearance in his unveiling video.
As confirmed by the club, Duran will wear the No.22 shirt number after completing his move from Chicago Fire, with fans having to wait a while for official confirmation after Villa announced that an agreement had been reached between the two clubs a week ago.
READ MORE: What Jhon Duran said after Villa move officially announced
However, having finally arrived now and as he looks ahead to adapting and integrating himself into Unai Emery’s squad, there was a wonderfully organised welcome for Duran at Villa Park on Monday.
As seen in the video below, as he took a seat in the Holte End for his first interview as a Villa player, Duran was given a superb surprise as Angel appeared on the big screen with a message of support for him.
“Jhon, my brother,” he said, as per Villa TV. “It’s an enormous pleasure of mine to welcome you to your new home. There, where you’re sitting now, in the Holte End, I have made some of the best memories of my career.
“Every time I scored a goal, I saw the expression of happiness of each and every one of the fans. We, the fans of Aston Villa, like all players who have some class. But we love those who play with passion, with tenacity, those who would bestow their last drop of sweat for this Club.
“You have all the technical qualities of a footballer to create a great legacy. Not only at the Club but the League that you’ve just entered. In all aspects of Aston Villa, I wish you the best of luck, that you are full of success, and that for us, you fill us with happiness.
“From day one, the Aston Villa fans made me feel at home, and they always showed me their warmth, even today and I’m absolutely sure that they will do the same for you. Welcome home my brother, here, at Villa Park. Up the Villa!”
It was not only wonderful to see an iconic former Villa player share such kinds words for his young compatriot, but the way in which he still speaks about the club shows how fondly he remembers his time with us.
Naturally, it’s hoped that Duran goes on to enjoy a more successful stint with us as he looks set to play a crucial role for Emery in attack, and he will no doubt have felt welcomed by the club with the effort that went into his introduction.
Emery spoke at his press conference last week about Duran needing time and patience to adapt to life in England and the Premier League, and so it remains to be seen if we’ll get a first look at our latest signing against Leicester City on February 4.
Villa are light up front after the departure of Danny Ings last week, but with Ollie Watkins in good form and leading the line well, it’s hoped that we’re in a position to give Duran minutes next month without much pressure, to help him settle and acclimatise to the new level that he will be competing at.
Angel will no doubt be a voice of support and advice for him if needed with the pair not only now sharing a spell at Villa in common, but as they’re from the same city in Colombia too, it will be a source of pride to see Duran succeed at the club as he looks to also cement his place in the senior national squad in the coming years too.
This is beautiful. 🥰
There was only one way to welcome @JhonDuran991 to Villa Park. 👀
Take it away, @JuanPabloAngel… pic.twitter.com/RFr1tn9yw0
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 23, 2023
