Manchester City star Jack Grealish laughed when he found out Aston Villa were signing John McGinn in 2018, it has been revealed.
Scotland international McGinn had long been tipped for a move to English football prior to signing on at Villa Park, having impressed with Hibernian.
The Scottish side had rejected three bids from Nottingham Forest in the previous year, and it was Steve Bruce and Villa that finally got a deal done.
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And former Villans star Grealish's laugh was soon replaced by joy as he celebrated a Championship play-off final win in 2019. McGinn scored the winning goal against Derby at Wembley.
Since then, the midfielder has established himself as one of Villa's key players in the Premier League, surviving numerous upheavals at the club.
Only the 28-year-old and centre-back Tyrone Mings are still at Villa Park from the squad that contested that play-off final, and McGinn replaced the England international as club captain last summer.
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But the Scot had to prove himself initially - and revealed how Grealish reacted to his arrival in the Midlands.
McGinn on Grealish
McGinn agreed terms on a contract extension earlier this week to keep him at Villa until 2027 - and opened up on how he was first received by some of the club's players.
He told Villa TV: "I had lots to prove - nobody knew who I was.
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"I remember Jack [Grealish] laughing when Steve Bruce told him, 'It's fine, don't worry, we're signing a boy from Scotland'. He didn't know who I was but I think it was nice in a way - I had to prove to people that I could cut it.
"I remember the first game against Wigan when I joined. I remember flying into a tackle and the place erupted, and from that moment, I knew it was the right fit for me and the fans appreciate that every time I go on the park I give 110 per cent."
McGinn was previously linked with a potential move to Manchester United, but has stayed at Villa throughout the club's latest stint in the Premier League.
Grealish, meanwhile, was a key cog in Villa's side as they stayed in the top flight in their first season back, before being involved in 16 league goals in the following campaign.
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In 2021, he became Britain's most expensive player when he moved to City for £100 million. Two years on, he is a treble winner.
Had McGinn not scored the winner at Wembley, though, it would be intriguing to see whether the England winger's career would have taken a different path.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Jack Grealish, Aston Villa, Premier League, Steve Bruce, Manchester City