TUESDAY AUGUST 12, 2014 – Saint Lucian born footballer Janoi Donacien who turns 21 in November 2014, signed a new two-year deal in July with the Premier League club Aston Villa that he joined in 2009.
Donacien had moved to Luton in the United Kingdom with his parents in 2001, and just two years ago, through the intervention of the Saint Lucian Overseas Mission in the United Kingdom, he was given the right to live and work in the country where he has grown up.
He is a central defender, and having followed the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, and Gary Cahill through the AVFC’s highly acclaimed youth system at Bodymoor Heath, Janoi Donacien featured in Villa winning the Barclays Premier Reserve League South title in 2011-12.
Twelve months later, he was an integral part of the team that triumphed in the NextGen Series European competition, alongside the likes of Callum Robinson, Jack Grealish and Samir Carruthers.
He is now keen to follow the lead of Robinson, Grealish and Carruthers by earning a taste of first team football. In 2013-14, manager Paul Lambert named him on the bench for the FA Cup clash against Sheffield United, and the Barclays Premier League game against Sunderland.
“I am so happy that the club has given me an opportunity to sign for another two years,” said Janoi. “This is the right club for me to keep on progressing. I had a discussion with the manager at the end of the season and he said that hopefully I would be looking to progress at the club.
Janoi Donacien of Aston Villa in action during the Pre Season Friendly between Cheterfield and Aston Villa at Proact Stadium on July 30 2014 in Chesterfield England (July 29 2014 – Source Laurence Griffiths Getty Images Europe)
“There are a lot of top players at this club who I am hoping to learn from. Hopefully I can get a good pre-season under my belt, get a good run-out and continue my progress. I have been on the fringes of the first team, which was good for my progression. All of the senior lads have been very helpful and it is good to have people encourage you.”
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