French veteran Robert Pires has officially joined Aston Villa, announced the English Premier League club on Thursday with a contract running until the end of this season.

Pires, 37, became a free agent after being released by Spanish club Villarreal this summer and has been training with his former club Arsenal recently.

The experienced midfielder will wear the number eight shirt while Villa are still awaiting international clearance for him to play in Sunday's match with Blackburn.

"I can't wait to play and put on that new shirt. It is very exciting," Pires told the club's TV after the signing. "I am very happy to join Aston Villa because it's a big club in England. I am also thrilled to have the chance of working with Gerard Houllier. I know him."

Villa manager Houllier believed the veteran could bring a lot to the team.

"Robert is an experienced player with a good mentality and he can help the players here, particularly our younger players," said the Frenchman.

Pires played for Arsenal for six years until joining Villarreal in 2006. He was voted as the north London club's sixth greatest player of all time by fans in 2008.

He was also part of France's 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning squads.

Villa will host Arsenal next Saturday.

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