Former Huddersfield Town loanee Kaine Kesler-Hayden has joined Coventry City from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old right-back spent the first half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Town, where he made 15 appearances in all competitions before being recalled by the Villans in January.
Kesler-Hayden also had loan spells at Swindon Town, MK Dons, Plymouth Argyle and Preston North End whilst at Villa, before opting to make the permanent switch to Coventry.
The defender has penned a four-year deal with the Sky Blues, who reached the Championship play-offs last term before being beaten by eventual winners Sunderland in the semi-finals.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to be here. It seems like the perfect move for me and the next step in my career,” Kesler-Hayden told his new club’s website.
“Words can’t describe how happy I am to be at this club and how excited I am to play in front of the supporters. I want to show you what I can do, how I can play, entertain you and hopefully get this club back where it needs to be.
“I’ve spoken with the gaffer (Frank Lampard). He was a big part of why I signed. I believe in the project, and he showed me some videos and analysis of how I can fit into the team and for me that made it seem like the perfect place for me to come.”
Head coach Lampard added: “I’m delighted to welcome Kaine to the football club and I’m very excited to work with him. Having met Kaine I was really impressed with his ambition and desire to play for Coventry City.
“His qualities will fit in with the way we want to play, he is a young player and his defensive and attacking attributes will help to strengthen the squad.”