Villa agree fee for Cuellar

Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Rangers for Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar.

The 26-year-old will now discuss terms with Villa, whose bid has invoked a release clause in Cuellar's contract.

Rangers confirmed they had accepted a bid of 10 million euros for the player (£7.8million).

Cuellar was outstanding for Rangers after joining the Scottish club from Osasuna last season.

He was instrumental in their run to the UEFA Cup final but leaves Ibrox just a week after a humiliating early exit from the Champions League at the qualifying stages.

Rangers revealed they offered the player a substantially improved contract but it was declined due to his desire to move to the Premier League.

Cuellar told the Rangers website, www.rangers.co.uk: "My ambition has always been to play for my national team and I believe that playing in the biggest league in the world for Aston Villa will help me realise that.

"When I told Martin Bain on Sunday that I wanted to leave, I did so with sadness.

"The Rangers supporters have been fantastic to me, but I am young and want to play at the highest level and I hope they will always welcome me back. I want to thank them for everything."