Paul Lambert believes that Leandro Bacuna's energy and versatility will be "a real asset" next season as the Dutch Under-21 international completed a move from FC Groningen.

The 21-year-old wide midfield player put pen to paper on a three-year deal to 2016 and manager Lambert insists he will fit well into his young, emerging side.

"Leandro's energy and versatility will be really good for us," said Lambert.

"He's a good player, he has bags of energy and he will make an impact.

"He's another player we believe will do well for us. He has played in big games and he has lots of experience for a player so young."

Bacuna is an attacking midfield player from Groningen. He made his debut for his hometown team FC Groningen in August 2009, coming on as a substitute against PSV Eindhoven. He has played 126 times for the Euroborg-based club in all competitions, scoring 17 times.

In the 2012/13 season he started 30 times and came on for seven more appearances for Groningen and scored five goals. In 2011/12 he played 33 times with 28 starts and scored seven goals.

He has also played for Holland's prestigious under-21 team 10 times, scoring once against Bulgaria in Maastricht in June 2012.

"It feels great. It's a new beginning for me, a new step and I'm looking forward to being part of this young, hungry team we have at Villa," Bacuna said.

"This is a dream come true for me and also for my parents who are delighted for me. It's a tremendous league to be a part of, the Premier League, and we want to show that Aston Villa can takes its place among the top teams.

"I'm really excited to come here. Villa Park looks magnificent and the training facilities at Bodymoor Heath are first class. I'm really impressed with the set-up here and I'm proud to be a part of this club.

"The manager is trying to create a new generation, to build something here and make a lot of young guys show what they can do. I'm up for the challenge.

"For every player who's coming in, it's good to find themselves in a team and an environment such as this. We will get the opportunity to show that we want to play and what we can do. It's always good to try to better yourself.

"I'm a player who plays box-to-box, I like to run and I look to shoot. Conditioning is a big thing, too, and I look forward to doing my best for Villa.

"As far as heroes are concerned, I have a lot of heroes, people like Messi and Ronaldo. But they are in a different league. Players such as Frank Lampard, they fight and they show themselves and I'm a type of player like that.

"I'm fully focused to show myself at my new club. My mentality is that you start at the bottom and you show yourself. This is what I intend to do."

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