Cahill swaps Villa for Bolton

Bolton Wanderers FC have signed former England Under-21 defender Gary Cahill from Premier League rivals Aston Villa FC for a reported fee of €6.7m, while allowing Sweden winger Christian Wilhelmsson to join RC Deportivo La Coruña on loan for the rest of the season.

Out of favour
The 22-year-old centre-back, who was a product of Villa's football academy, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the UEFA Cup challengers. Cahill has played 28 times for Villa since his debut in 2005, scoring one goal, but has made just one substitute appearance this season spending much of it on loan at second division Sheffield United FC. "He is a player I have admired for a long time," said Bolton manager Gary Megson. "Gary is very talented and at his age has a very bright future ahead of him. It's fantastic news that he has agreed to join."

Atlético test
Wilhelmsson, 28, arrived at Bolton on loan from FC Nantes Atlantique at the start of the season but all eight of his Premier League appearances have been as a substitute. Bolton face Deportivo's Spanish rivals Club Atlético de Madrid in UEFA Cup Round of 32 ties on 14 and 21 February.