Crouch in Bolton & Saints Talks

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Peter Crouch could be set to leave Villa Park after it emerged Bolton Wanderers and Southampton are in talks with the tall striker.
The 23-year-old arrived in the Midlands from Portsmouth for £5 million in March 2002 but has failed to find the back of the net regularly.

Crouch, who spent part of last season on loan at Norwich City, netted four Premiership goals in 10 stars and four substitute appearances for Villa last term.

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Beanpole hitman Peter Crouch says he is "thrilled" at his £2m move from Villa Park to Southampton - where he becomes their third new arrival.

Crouch has signed a four-year deal and leaves Villa Park after two and a half years after being signed by Graham Taylor for £5m from Portsmouth, where he had scored 18 goals in 37 games.

His career at Villa saw him make just 20 league starts and score six league goals and he spent three months on loan at Norwich at the start of last season - but no permanent move was agreed.

"I am thrilled to be joining Southampton," Crouch told Stella Group Limited. "I had a few options open to me at the end of last season but I always thought I would stay at Villa.

"However once they accepted offers for me and I had spoken to Southampton, I knew I wanted to join.

"Paul Sturrock and Rupert Lowe are extremely ambitious for the club and I was very impressed with what they had to say."