Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has signed a six month contract to join Aston Villa until the end of the season.
The former French international becomes Gerard Houllier’s first signing since arriving at Villa Park.
The 37-year-old, who has been training with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal for the past two months, will add valuable experience to a young squad.
The one-time left-wing star, now moved to the central ground, signed for Villa as a free agent after being released by Villarreal in the summer.
The world cup winner, who will wear the number eight shirt, will meet his new teammates tomorrow and hopes to make his debut for the club against Blackburn on Sunday.
Pires told AVTV: "I can't wait to play and put on that new shirt. It is very exciting.
"I am very happy to join Aston Villa because it's a big club in England.
"I am also thrilled to have the chance of working with Gerard Houllier. I know him.
“I spoke with Gerard Houllier and like me he is very happy because I need him and he needs me to play with experience because the team is young. We need a good mix.
"Now this move represents a new opportunity and a new challenge for me. I am very happy to start.
"I can't wait to put that
Pires who spent six years with the Gunners and played 236 times for the North London club insisted playing in England was a big factor in signing for Houllier’s men.
He said: “For me it’s a good surprise but I’m very happy here because I like English football and it was important for me to work here again.”
Assistant manager Gary McAllister is delighted the club have captured such a decorated player and believes believes the new recruit can have positive influence on the whole squad.
He said: "He is a proven winner. It gets thrown around a lot these days when people say they are a winner but he is a genuine article.
"He's a European champion and he has won the World Cup as well. He has vast experience and was a fantastic player in the Premier League for Arsenal.
"People thought he was coming to the end of his career but he went to Villareal and done well there for several seasons.
"For all the younger players - what a tremendous addition. The younger players can only learn from watching a guy like Robert on the training field.
"He will gain respect. But I am sure Robert Pires isn't coming here just to be a player that everyone is going to stand back and admire. He will want to gain the respect of the fact that he is still competitive and still able to do a job at this level."
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