Karim El Ahmadi heads back to Eredivisie to rejoin former club

So long, Karim El Ahmadi. Aston Villa have confirmed the midfielder is heading back to former club Feyenoord on a three-year deal.

The Netherlands-born Moroccan international came up through the ranks at Twente before joining Feyenoord in 2008. Under Ronald Koeman, now with Southampton, he earned himself a starting spot at the club, and caught the eye of Villa manager Paul Lambert.

Back in Villa's "Buy players from outside the top leagues for cheap" phase, KEA seemed a good fit, and he joined up two summers ago. He got off to a good start at Villa, scoring an incredible goal in his home debut. He also had a solid start to last season, and became a regular alongside Ashley Westwood and Fabian Delph in midfield.

But with Lambert's new-look Villa side, there's not much room for El Ahmadi, and he's yet to have been involved this season. So he's heading back home, and Villa are getting a bit of cash -- perhaps to put toward the purchase of Tom Cleverley. Although if rumors are to be believed, and Villa are getting less than £1M, then they're nowhere close to paying what the midfielder is after.