Former Tottenham fullback Serge Aurier signs with Villarreal

Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with want-away right back Serge Aurier a day after the close of the summer transfer window back in early August. Spurs had been trying to offload him to just about anyone with any interest at all, but was unsuccessful. Eventually, Aurier and the club came to an agreement to mutually terminate his contract, and he left Spurs on a free transfer.

Now, Serge has found his next home. Villarreal announced yesterday that they have signed Aurier on a one season contract.

There’s a little bit of irony here. At Villarreal, he’ll be competing at the right back with another former Tottenham player who was also known as someone with a penchant for making the occasional prominent mistake — Juan Foyth. Foyth has been a regular starter at the position for the Yellow Submarine this season after spending last year at the club on loan, and has turned into something of a fan favorite. So there’s a little bit of irony that Serge will spend at least the first part of his time at his new club once again playing second fiddle behind another defender playing out of position.

Aurier will also be familiar with his new manager — according to The Athletic, Unai Emery managed Aurier at PSG for a season in 2015-16.

Foyth isn’t the only familiar face — former Spurs midfielder Etienne Capoue is also currently at Villarreal. No doubt the three of them can get together and complain about how poorly they were all treated in North London.