Aston Villa transfer exit as 19 y/o star leaves training to reunite with Joey Barton

Aston Villa have allowed Lamare Bogarde to join League One club Bristol Rovers for a second consecutive loan spell.

The 19-year-old was apparently drafted into first-team training by Unai Emery earlier this week ahead of Sunday’s clash with Everton, but will now play his football under ex-Premier League midfielder Joey Barton again. Bogarde spent the second part of the 2022/23 season at the West Country club, and now Villa have entrusted Barton to develop him further with a full-season of competitive football under his belt.

"We're all delighted to have Lamy back in with us," said Barton to the official club website after confirmation of his loan move.

"He's a talented player and, although on loan, he comes in already knowing us from the time he spent with us last season. This is a chance for him to really kick on and show his talent, and hopefully, we can reap the benefit of that this season."

Bogarde is a Dutch-born midfielder and has been at the Villa since joining in September 2020 from Feyenoord. He has one senior appearance for the Villains, having featured against Liverpool during an FA Cup match when the team were forced to play their Under-21's side. He has appeared as an unused substitute in four Premier League matches under both Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.

Bogarde was last year linked with a move to the Championship with Midlands rivals West Brom and Norwich City linked, but it was Rovers who were able to land him. Earlier this summer it was reported that Southampton had been interested in signing him, and considered him a replacement for Romeo Lavia, but Villa did not want to entertain the idea of selling him. Bogarde is under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2025, and will now pay close attention as to how he fares at Bristol Rovers.