LONDON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Aston Villa continue their preparations for a season that will see them play in the Champions League with the signing of England winger Jaden Philogene-Bidace from Hull City for around 18 million pounds (about 23.2 million U.S. dollars).

Philogene-Bidace returns to Villa Park just a year after leaving to join the Championship outfit for a fee in the region of six million pounds 12 months ago, but the fact Villa inserted a sell-on clause giving 30 percent of any future sale into that deal, means they have now paid around 13.5 million pounds to get him back.

The forward impressed in his season in the second tier, scoring 12 goals and giving 10 assists as Hull City just missed out at the end of season play-offs.

Philogene-Bidace's form saw him linked with interest from Spanish giants FC Barcelona earlier in the summer, but Barcelona's financial problems meant they wanted an initial loan deal, which Hull were unwilling to contemplate.

Philogene-Bidace also looked likely to join newly promoted Ipswich Town, but Villa took advantage of another clause allowing them to match any offer for the player to close the deal.

Aston Villa have already signed Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior from Juventus this season, while Ross Barkley moved from Luton and Lewis Dobbin arrived from Everton in June. Enditem

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