Sky Bet Championship outfit Aston Villa have confirmed the departure of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini who has this afternoon completed a move to Atalanta, with the Serie A club confirming the deal on their official website.

The Italian custodian spent last season on loan with the Europa League participants and he clearly made a lasting impression on the club who have now made the deal a permanent one.

Following their failure to win promotion to the Premier League last season it looks set to be a summer of uncertainty for the Villains who have made no secret of the fact that they need to begin cutting costs down.

Gollini's departure certainly won't be the last that Steve Bruce has to oversee this summer and it remains to be seen what the Villa boss will be left with once the season kicks-off again in August.

Having not played for Villa for a while this sale will probably be a little bit easier for the club's supporters to understand and appreciate, although given their financial predicament bigger departures could be just around the corner too.

The Verdict

This departure won't upset too many Aston Villa supporters but it does go a long way to suggest that lots of departures are likely at Villa Park this summer.

The club are in dire straits financially and it does look set to be a very long summer for those associated with the former European Cup winners.

Gollini didn't ever really cut it during his time at Aston Villa and his time at the club won't live too fondly in the memory of many Villa supporters.

Aston Villa fans, are you surprised with Gollini's departure? Let us know in the comments below!!!