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Confirmed: Striker makes £22m Aston Villa exit

Forward proved a huge hit out on loan and has now left permanently.

Striker Donyell Malen has become the first player to officially depart Villa this summer after completing a move to Roma for a fee of around £22million.

The Italian club confirmed on Tuesday they had completed the signing of the Netherlands international on a four-year deal following a hugely successful loan spell.

Malen scored 15 goals in 20 appearances for Roma after joining them in January, almost a year to the day after he had arrived at Villa from Borussia Dortmund.

The Netherlands international scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for Unai Emery’s team but made only 14 starts.

His move to Italy, initially on loan, included an obligation to buy should Roma qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Their qualification was secured when they beat Verona 2-0 last weekend, with Malen opening the scoring.

Another Villa loanee, midfielder Enzo Barrenechea, is expected to complete a £13m permanent deal to Benfica in the coming days.

The Argentine joined Villa from Juventus at the same time Douglas Luiz moved in the other direction for £42.5m two summers ago.

Barrenechea will depart having never made a first-team appearance for Villa, after spending both of his seasons with the club out on loan, the first with Valencia.

Luiz is currently back at Villa having joined them on loan from Juventus in January. Boss Unai Emery must decide whether to trigger a £23m option to buy the midfielder, who made more than 200 appearances during his first spell at the club.

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