Matteo Ruggeri Joins Aston Villa from Atletico Madrid

Matteo Ruggeri discusses his €25m move to Aston Villa, sharing ambitions for the Champions League and pride in joining the Premier League.

Italian full-back Matteo Ruggeri has shared his excitement about joining Aston Villa, revealing that he was captivated by the club’s ambitious vision for the future. The transfer from Atletico Madrid came with a price tag of €25 million plus add-ons, marking a significant milestone in Ruggeri’s career.

Ruggeri expressed immense pride upon finalising his move to the Premier League, stating, “I am very happy to be here. It’s very exciting for me to be part of this club; I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and start this adventure. I was really enchanted by the project of the team; I know it’s a huge league with big expectations.” His decision to join was further influenced by his admiration for the team’s recent performances.

After a productive season with Atletico Madrid, where he made 47 appearances and recorded seven assists, Ruggeri is eager to establish himself under manager Unai Emery. “I’ve definitely watched lots of Aston Villa games and was really impressed by the intensity that the coach wants and the quality of the football he demands,” he shared.

With a history of participation in European competitions, Ruggeri has made 23 appearances in the Champions League, contributing three assists. His dual ability to play as a full-back or a wing-back provides tactical options for Emery.

Despite his strong showing in club football, including winning the Europa League with Atalanta, Ruggeri is yet to earn his first senior cap for the Italian national team. He sees his move to Aston Villa as a critical step to catching the attention of the national squad’s coaching staff.

Reflecting on his inspirations, Ruggeri cited legendary defender Paolo Maldini as a childhood hero, stating, “As a child, I really liked Paolo Maldini as a left-back. He was the one I looked up to when I was a kid.”

Ruggeri is poised for a potential debut soon, with Aston Villa set to face Brighton and Hove Albion shortly, followed by a match against Arsenal. He is eager to experience the passionate atmosphere at Villa Park, having seen numerous videos and images of the stadium. “I can’t wait to play there because I saw the fans are incredible,” he remarked. With the club building on recent successes, Ruggeri joins a team filled with confidence and high expectations.