London, Aug. 8 -- Aston Villa has signed striker Evann Guessand from French side Nice for an initial fee of 26 million pounds (35 million U.S. dollars).
The 24-year-old, who was born on the island of Corsica but represents the Cote d'Ivoire at international level, will provide back-up to Ollie Watkins, who was the only recognized forward in the Villa squad after the end of the loan deals for Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio last season.
Guessand is the club's second arrival of a difficult summer in which the club's transfer activity has been limited by the need to comply with UEFA's financial fair play rules.
The club's other signing is goalkeeper Marco Bizot from Brest.
Speaking to Aston Villa's TV channel, Guessand said the change to...