Bouma joined Villa in a deal worth around £3.5m just before the closure of the transfer window in August 2005.

He started out with local amateur side Helmondia before he was noticed by PSV, where he began his professional career.

The player began his career as a striker but found fame as a member of the rearguard.

Bouma is capable of playing either at left-back or in the centre of defence.

The Dutch international won the Dutch title four times with PSV, and also won the Dutch Cup twice.

LAST SEASON

It's not often that full-backs become cult heroes but Wilfred Bouma has achieved that status among Villa supporters. Injury problems meant he missed roughly half his debut campaign in claret and blue after arriving from PSV Eindhoven for £3.5m, and a pulled hamstring in last season's final warm-up game left him kicking his heels again as 2006-07 got under way.

There was further frustration, too, when he regained full fitness but was unable to force his way back into the team. It was late October, in fact, before saw his first senior action but he gradually made the left-back position his own with some excellent performances.

His fine form didn't go unnoticed by supporters, who began to chant his name on a regular basis - particularly after his Man of the Match performance in the New Year Bank Holiday goalless draw at home to Chelsea.

The man popularly known as Freddie had been on the subs' bench for four games over the festive period but after the Chelsea match he stayed in the starting line-up for the remainder of the season.

"You always want to improve and I know I can do better. Hopefully I can stay at this level."