Aston Villa have signed midfielder Carles Gil from Valencia for £3.2m on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The club confirmed the deal on their website saying:

Paul Lambert has declared that new signing Carles Gil will help to “add that creative spark that we have been lacking” after the Spanish U21 international completed his move from Valencia.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who can operate on either flank or behind a striker, signed a four-and-a-half year deal to June 2019 subject to international clearance.

The Spain Under-21 international, who spent the past two seasons on loan at Elche, has scored one goal in eight La Liga games for Valencia this term.

Villa have scored just 11 goals in 21 Premier League games this season and have failed to score in their last four outings and are three points above the relegation zone before Saturday’s visit of Liverpool.

Gil came through the ranks at Valencia and spent two years on loan at Elche before returning to the Mestalla at the start of the season.

“We’ve been on the lookout for a creative player and he will certainly bring that extra element to the side,” said Villa boss Paul Lambert. “He’s only 22 but he will come here and give us something I don’t think we have at the moment. He can play either role, coming in off the sides or playing in behind as well. He can create chances and get those chances put away. He has a lot to offer and I know we can get the best out of him.” he added