Aston Villa hand contract to goalkeeper after impressive ‘development’

Aston Villa have handed a new deal to youngster Oliwier Zych. The goalkeeper has penned a contract extension after catching the eye playing for the U21s over recent times.

Zych, 18, joined the Premier League club back in 2020 from Zaglebie Lubin and has since been a regular at various youth levels for the Midlands outfit. He is being tipped for a bright future in the game and has committed his future at Villa Park.

Academy Manager Mark Harrison told their official club website: “We are delighted to see Oliwier sign a new contract. This is a reflection of his development since he joined us.

“He has recently been involved in the Under-21s, first-team training and captained Poland at Under-19 level. We look forward to seeing how he develops over the next few years.”

Prior to his move to Aston Villa, Zych also had a spell at Arka Gydnia Youth. He has since represented Poland and helped his current team win the Youth Cup last year with some eye-catching performances.

The stopper will now be hoping to make the step up into the first-team over the next couple of years. Emi Martinez remains the number one and is backed up by Robin Olsen and Jed Steer.

Steven Gerrard’s side are back in action at home to Chelsea this weekend and go into that one on the back of consecutive away draws at Leeds United and Nottingham Forest. They are 16th in the table and three points above the drop zone.