Robert Pires joins Aston Villa

Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has joined Aston Villa on a six month deal, the club have confirmed.

The 37-year old completed a medical at Villa’s training ground this afternoon and put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Villa Park until the end of the season.

Pires had been training with former club Arsenal to maintain his fitness having left Spanish side Villareal in the summer and as a free agent, was eligible to join Villa outside of the transfer window.

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier will hope to make the most of Pires’ wealth of experience; Aston Villa will be the Frenchman’s fifth club after spells at Metz, Marseille, Arsenal and Villarreal, while he also earned 79 caps for France and scored 14 goals.