ASTON VILLA have said farewell to Tom Heaton, Ahmed Elmohamady and Neil Taylor after their current contracts expired.
Full-backs Elmohamady and Taylor made more than 200 appearances for the club between them.
Heaton, meanwhile, was brought in as the club’s No1 goalkeeper two years ago as Villa returned to the Premier League.
However the former Burnley and England ‘keeper suffered a serious knee injury at Turf Moor on New Year’s Day 2020 and Emi Martinez has made the position his own since signing from Arsenal.
He said: “It has been an honour to play for Aston Villa Football Club. I would like to thank Dean and his management team, Christian and Johan.
“All of the staff and players at the football club have been brilliant.
“Playing at Villa Park has been special and a massive thankyou to the villa fans who I feel have supported me all the way.
“Good luck to everyone associated with the club and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.”
Heaton is now set to return to his first club Manchester United to provide cover for David De Gea and Dean Henderson, whose Old Trafford futures remain in doubt.
A statement confirming the news from the club said: “Ahmed, Neil and Tom depart the club having been hugely admired, both in the dressing room and among supporters, and have been fantastic servants on and off the pitch.
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“Everyone at Aston Villa wishes them all the very best for the future!”
Heaton, 35, spent six years at Burnley before making the switch to Villa two years ago.
But he was surplus to requirements having lost his place when Martinez made the switch from the Emirates last summer.
It marks a remarkable United comeback for the ace after he graduated through their academy before departing in 2010 for Cardiff City.
Both Sergio Romero and Lee Grant are due to become free agents and likely to depart United next month.
Now Heaton will take on the role that Grant has held at Old Trafford and offer experienced back-up for both Henderson and De Gea.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
