Aston Villa swoop for Veretout and Gestede

Both players have signed five-year deals and arrive for undisclosed fees, taking the number of Villa's close-season signings to nine.

Veretout, 22, has been a first-team regular for Nantes since 2011 and is reported to have cost Villa in the region of £7 million ($10.9 million, 9.9 million euros).

"I'm really pleased Jordan decided to choose Aston Villa over the other options he had and opt to continue his development with us," Villa manager Tim Sherwood told the club's website.

"He is only 22 years old, but he is vastly experienced for someone that age. He has played over 140 games in Ligue 1 and is a really exciting young player.

"I know he is very highly rated over in France so we are delighted to get this deal over the line."

Veretout follows French left-back Jordan Amavi (Nice), Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye (Lille) and Ghana striker Jordan Ayew (Lorient) in swapping Ligue 1 for Villa Park.

Former Metz and Cardiff City striker Gestede, 26, scored 22 goals for second-tier Blackburn last season and is thought to have cost Villa around £6 million.

"I've known about Rudy since he was at Cardiff City and he is a player I've always admired," said Sherwood.

"His goalscoring ratio last season was fantastic and he is someone who certainly knows how to find the back of the net. He's a big, physical striker, but he can play and I'm pleased to welcome him to the football club."

Villa avoided relegation from the Premier League by three points last season and lost 4-0 to Arsenal in the FA Cup final.