Aston Villa confirm Archer’s return following Sheffield United’s relegation

Cameron Archer returned to pre-season training with Aston Villa on Thursday, less than a year after leaving the club in an £18million switch to Sheffield United.

The deal to take Archer to Bramall Lane last summer was a one-off in that Sheffield United paid only a small installment of the £18m upfront fee and agreed to return the striker to Villa if would be relegated from the Premier League, thus becoming a place. essentially a loan fee if they failed to stay awake.

The Blades went down, with Archer scoring four goals in 32 appearances last term, and now the 22-year-old is back for pre-season at Bodymoor Heath, with Villa expected to try to move him again this summer.

A number of other Villa players returned to pre-season training on Thursday and manager Unai Emery was particularly keen on Morgan Rogers’ stylish new hairdo.

Preparations for the 2024/25 season – when the Villans will make their triumphant return to the Champions League – begin here.