10 Things to Know about Jordan Veretout

Our latest summer signing has already acquired a wealth of experience in three of Europe's biggest leagues.

Learn more about midfielder Jordan Veretout...

1. Jordan Veretout was born in Ancenis, on the banks of the Loire, on 1 March 1993.

2. Veretout began playing football at local side Belligne but, by the time he was 10, he had already caught the attention of the region’s biggest club – Nantes. There he progressed through all youth categories – eventually making his senior debut for the club, then in Ligue 2, in May 2011.

Two seasons later, Veretout played his part as the club were promoted to Ligue 1.

3. After two further seasons in the top-flight with Nantes, in the summer of 2015 the Premier League came calling – as Veretout joined Aston Villa. Veretout made 25 appearances in what was a disjointed, disappointing season for the Villans, who were ultimately relegated from the top flight.

4. That led Veretout to look for a move back to France – as he eventually joined Saint-Etienne on a season-long loan. Thirty-five appearances and three goals later, Veretout had re-affirmed his talent in a top European league.

He also performed admirably in the Europa League, even as they lost to eventual winners Manchester United in the last-16.

5. In August 2017 it was Fiorentina who won the race to sign Veretout on a permanent basis. He immediately rewarded that decision, scoring 10 goals in 38 games during his first season – including a hat-trick against Lazio.

6. The following season he consolidated his reputation as one of the best midfielders in Italian football, adding a further five goals to his tally as he missed only one game for La Viola.

Only Miralem Pjanic created more chances from midfield than Veretout that season.

7. Veretout has generally chosen the No. 17 shirt where possible in his career – it is the date of birth of his first-born child. At Nantes he wore No. 25 as he started his career, while at Saint-Etienne he opted for No. 14.

8. A versatile midfielder, Veretout has shown himself capable of playing almost any central midfield role – be it in front of the defence, box-to-box, or even as a more advanced playmaker.

9. At international level, Veretout made 44 youth-age appearances for France – from Under-18 to Under-21 level – and was part of the side that won the Under-20 World Cup in 2013. He is yet to make his first appearance for the senior side, however.

10. Consistency is one of Veretout's hallmarks - at club level he has made at least 33 league appearances in four of his last five seasons.