It was no secret but Boca Juniors finally confirmed the signing of Sebastián Villa on Wednesday as Guillermo Barros Schelotto looks to strengthen his squad ahead of another league title defence and the Copa Libertadores knockout stages.

The 22-year-old Colombian had just celebrated lifting the Apertura title with Deportes Tolima earlier this month when he admitted he was Buenos Aires-bound and Villa has now put pen to paper on a deal with the Superliga champions.

“It’s a very important step in my career and I always dreamed of playing in La Bombonera,” Villa told the Boca Juniors website.

Villa becomes the fifth Colombian at the club, joining compatriots Wilmar Barrios, Frank Fabra, Edwin Cardona and Sebastián Pérez and will inject further pace into the attack.

“I am a quick, skilful forward and I like to take people on,” Villa described his style after a hugely successful final season in Colombia.

¡Bienvenido, Sebastián Villa! El delantero colombiano firmó su contrato con Boca y tuvo su primera práctica en el complejo Pedro Pompilio. pic.twitter.com/Ylk63xjFa6

— Boca Jrs. Oficial 🏆🏆 (@BocaJrsOficial) June 27, 2018

 World Football Index‘s Colombian football expert Simon Edwards, was in agreement with Villa’s assessment but admitted that the forward hasn’t always shown such promise.

“He is quick, elegant and direct and able to play across the attack. While he may fancy himself as a number nine, he is more like an inverted winger and in that sense could fit in the mold of Cristian Pavón.

“Something of a late developer, which could be a concern, he made his debut back in 2014 but didn’t really make much of an impact in a mid-table side until 2017.

“Last season, however, he was very impressive providing service and running behind Angelo Rodríguez, a big target man. The pair were key to Tolima winning the title but it has only really been in this past year that Villa has caught the eye.

“The attributes are there – quick, direct dribbler, decent technique on his crosses and the odd goal if not as prolific as he perhaps should be. However, he is by no means a guaranteed success.”

And this could concern Boca supporters if Cristian Pavón should leave the club. As an additional option in the attack, Villa sounds useful but should a European club come with a big offer for Argentina international Pavón, a more sure fire replacement would surely need to arrive.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto may also be closing in on one of his top transfer targets as it appears Boca are nearing an agreement with Santos Laguna for defender Carlos Izquierdoz.

The Liga MX club have been refusing to entertain less than $8 million for their captain but with Izquierdoz eager to unite with his former Lanús manager, Barros Schelotto a deal could be struck for a little less.

The 29-year-old, a product of Lanús’ academy, was a vital part of the Barros Schelotto’s side that lifted the 2013 Copa Sudamericana and could be paired once more with his central defensive partner from that same team, Paolo Goltz.

Boca having missed out on Gustavo Gómez after a lengthy pursuit and with Lisandro Magallán set for a move to Europe, Los Xeneizes are in need of a quality replacement in defence – Izquierdoz would certainly provide that.