Matty Cash says he knew instantly that Aston Villa was the team he wanted to join.
The club saw off competition from other Premier League sides to land the 23-year-old from Nottingham Forest.
And after becoming the club’s first signing of the summer, Cash couldn’t hold back his delight at penning a deal at Villa Park.
He said: “My agent rang me and said that Villa were interested, and immediately it was the place I wanted to come to. I said, ‘don’t even worry about anywhere else, I want to come here and play’.
“It’s such a big football club, from the fanbase to the stadium. Every time I played at Villa Park before it just sold itself to me.
“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family, and I can’t wait to get started. Playing for such a big club is going to be brilliant.”
Cash excelled in a number of positions during a six-year stay at Nottingham Forest, making 141 appearances and scoring 13 times.
The Championship side picked him up from the FAB Academy at Bisham Abbey in 2014 at a time when he was looking to break back into the professional ranks.
And now that his career has well and truly taken off, Cash is determined to continue his upward trajectory with Villa.
“It’s been a crazy journey from the age of 17, getting released at Wycombe Wanderers to kicking on,” he said.
“I had a very good five years at Forest and I can’t thank them enough – they were very good to me.
“Signing for Villa is a huge moment, and I want to thank everyone who’s supported me through this process.
“I’m coming off a good season and I’m ready to take that into the Premier League with Villa.”
