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London - Striker Andreas Weimann has left Aston Villa after eight years to join Championship side Derby County on a four-year deal, the clubs announced on Thursday.
The 23-year-old joins Paul Clement's side for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around 2.75 million (3.84m euros, $4.36m).
The Austrian international was out of favour at Villa Park under Tim Sherwood, and now moves down a division with the Rams, where he'll link up with former Villa team-mate Darren Bent.
Weimann has spent his entire senior career at Villa -- barring two loan spells at Watford in 2011 -- making 129 appearances and scoring 24 goals, but he's now ready for new surroundings.
"I'm excited to be here and I'm looking forward to the new challenge," he told Derby's official website.
"Derby has plans to be successful and get promoted and that's what attracted me here; I want to be part of that.
"The opportunity to play first-team football and drive the team to promotion is something that I want to do.
"I was at Aston Villa for eight years so I'm looking forward to this new stage in my career, although it will be a bit strange not being there.
"Eight years is a long time, especially in football, so maybe a change will do me good and get me started again."
Weimann is also pleased to be linking up again with Bent, who signed permanently at the iPro Stadium last week after a loan spell.
"I know Darren from my time at Aston Villa and I think that he is a really good signing for Derby," Weimann said.
"He did really well on loan here last season and, wherever he plays, he scores goals.
