£4m Aston Villa star defends himself after leaving Feyenoord

Lamare Bogarde has backed his decision to leave the Netherlands after breaking in the first-team picture at Aston Villa.

Bogarde joined Villa's academy in September 2020 as a 16-year-old. Born in Rotterdam, Bogarde was a part of Feyenoord's academy, but he opted to leave his country behind and test himself in England. He’s not looked back, as he’s now considered a member of Unai Emery’s squad.

The 20-year-old signed a long-term contract with the Villains in August, despite there being interest from other clubs. Nottingham Forest wanted to sign him, and made an offer of around €4m to sign him according to Fabrizio Romano, but that was rejected.

“Everyone makes their own choices,” said Bogarde to Viaplay which was relayed by Voetbal Primeur.

“You see that for some boys it does not go as they had hoped. But for many boys it does. For example, for me, Ian (Maatsen) and a few other names.

“I think it is easy to say that people have failed. But of course, it is a big step, and you really need guts to make such a move at a young age. It is not easy. You have no family there and at sixteen you are still a little boy.

“I think it’s just important not to listen to the outside world. It’s very easy to talk, but you’re the one who can prove the opposite. I think we’re showing that such a step can also work.”

An injury to Matty Cash has seen Bogarde deployed as a right-back in several of their league matches. He's also capable of playing at centre-back, and in defensive midfield, and has made the jump up from League One to the Premier League.

Bogarde had two separate loan spells at Bristol Rovers, as he helped the West Country outfit to a 17th-placed finish in 2023. He returned to the Memorial Stadium the following year, and spent the first few months of the season at Rovers, before returning, and then playing for Villa’s under-21s team.