After a season of transition in his first year in charge, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce is building this summer to prepare his side for a crack at the automatic promotion places, and will feel prepared to achieve this lofty target when Hull come to town next month.

Bruce has conducted some fantastic business this summer, including the acquisitions of John Terry, Sam Johnstone, and Ahmed Elmohamady, and now Glenn Whelan has joined the cause ahead of Villa’s title surge next season.

Irish international Whelan ends a nine-year association with Stoke having linking up with the Villains, and has been integral to the success the Potters have enjoyed during their Premier League era.

Whelan has been a loyal servant to the Staffordshire club, but at the age of 33 is seeking a new challenge, and the one afforded to him by Bruce and Villa was too good to turn down.

There is an exciting project underway at Villa Park as the club attempt to return to the Premier league at the second time of asking, and Whelan could prove an astute addition to the new era taking shape at Villa Park.

With 81 Irish caps to his name and a plethora of top flight exposure, Whelan’s experience could prove vital in the middle of the park, and with John Terry sitting behind at the heart of the defence, Bruce is putting together an extremely experienced core.

This will surely be Whelan’s last big move before he heads further down the football pyramid or abroad to see out his career, and the Irishman will strive to finish his career on a high.

Villa are beginning to look like serious promotion candidates, and Whelan is an excellent addition ahead of the big kick off next month.

Is Whelan the right man for Villa in the middle? Have your say below!