Cameroon midfielder Jean II Makoun joined Aston Villa from Lyon on Saturday as the club fights against relegation from the Premier League.
The 27-year-old Makoun has signed a deal through to June 2014, but won't be able to play until he is granted a British work permit.
The 6-million pound ($9.5 million) player is manager Gerard Houllier's first major signing since taking over in September.
''Jean is a player who can play in front of the defense as a sitter and defensive midfielder or as a box-to-box midfielder,'' Houllier said. ''He is also a very experienced player because he played Champions League football with Lille and Lyon.''
Makoun has left a club sitting fourth in the French league for 18th-place Villa in the Premier League.
''Villa have been after me for quite a while, so I am delighted it's finally happened,'' Makoun said. ''I've left a very good club in Lyon, a side which has played Champions League football, but I am very excited by this new challenge at Aston Villa.''
Makoun began his career in Cameroon at Cotonsport Garoua and also had spells in his homeland at Jeunesse Star and Tonnerre Yaounde, before moving to France to join Lille and then Lyon in June 2008.
