According to the BBC, Aston Villa defender, Ritchie De Laet has left the club to join his former club Royal Antwerp on a season-long loan.
The versatile defender has been on the margin for the last six months, as manager Steve Bruce has preferred Tommy Elphick, James Chester, Ahmed Elmohamady, and John Terry over him.
The 29-year-old defender has arrived at Villa Park from Leicester City back in 2016. However, he has failed to make an impact, often struggling with injuries. Only this season, he has managed to collect five appearances in the Championship.
Following disappointing performances, Steve Bruce has decided to let the former Manchester United player leave the club this January.
De Laet, who is capable of playing as a central defender, as well as on the right-back position, is brought by the manager Laszlo Boloni to help the team in the Jupiler Pro League playoff battle.
Given the fact, De Laet would hardly break into the Villa first-team, this transfer is a win-win solution