Brentford sign Hickey from Bologna for club record fee
Brentford have signed Scottish international full-back Aaron Hickey from Bologna for a record fee of around £14m (€16.6m).
The 20-year-old's arrival on a four-year contract, which also includes a series of additions, was officially confirmed by Brentford on Saturday.
Hickey spent two years in Serie A with Bologna after arriving from Scottish side Hearts and has played 48 times in all competitions, including 36 last season.
He scored five goals and made another in the Italian top flight last season. His form was rewarded with the first of four appearances for the Scotland national team in March.
Among Serie A defenders in the 2021-22 season, only Domenico Criscito (six) and Nahuel Molina (seven) of Genoa and Udinese scored more goals respectively
The fee paid by Brentford dwarfs the £13.5million they paid to sign Kristoffer Ajer last year as they prepare for their second Premier League football campaign.
“I am very happy that we have succeeded in signing Aaron. What he has already achieved in his career is very impressive,” Bees boss Thomas Frank said.
"He is only 20 years old and has played a full season in Scotland as well as almost two seasons in Serie A.
"Aaron is a rare thing in modern football in that he is equally good with both feet. He is technically very solid and is good when he has the ball in tight areas.
"He is an attacking full-back who has good creativity, he is an excellent center of the ball and scored goals in Serie A last year."
Hickey becomes the first signing of the window for Brentford, who are also reportedly looking for a new midfielder after Christian Eriksen's short-term contract expired at the end of last season.
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Brentford have signed Scottish international full-back Aaron Hickey from Bologna for a record fee of around £14m (€16.6m).
The 20-year-old's arrival on a four-year contract, which also includes a series of additions, was officially confirmed by Brentford on Saturday.
Hickey spent two years in Serie A with Bologna after arriving from Scottish side Hearts and has played 48 times in all competitions, including 36 last season.
He scored five goals and made another in the Italian top flight last season. His form was rewarded with the first of four appearances for the Scotland national team in March.
Among Serie A defenders in the 2021-22 season, only Domenico Criscito (six) and Nahuel Molina (seven) of Genoa and Udinese scored more goals respectively
The fee paid by Brentford dwarfs the £13.5million they paid to sign Kristoffer Ajer last year as they prepare for their second Premier League football campaign.
“I am very happy that we have succeeded in signing Aaron. What he has already achieved in his career is very impressive,” Bees boss Thomas Frank said.
"He is only 20 years old and has played a full season in Scotland as well as almost two seasons in Serie A.
"Aaron is a rare thing in modern football in that he is equally good with both feet. He is technically very solid and is good when he has the ball in tight areas.
"He is an attacking full-back who has good creativity, he is an excellent center of the ball and scored goals in Serie A last year."
Hickey becomes the first signing of the window for Brentford, who are also reportedly looking for a new midfielder after Christian Eriksen's short-term contract expired at the end of last season.
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