Andreas Weimann has revealed that he cannot wait to embark on his "new challenge" with Derby County after ending his eight-year spell with Aston Villa today.

The Austria international joined the Rams for a reported £2.75m after being deemed surplus to requirements under manager Tim Sherwood at Villa Park.

Despite dropping down into the Championship, the 23-year-old insists that he is excited about life at the iPro Stadium and hopes to help them in their promotion bid next term.

"I'm excited to be here and I'm looking forward to the new challenge. Derby have plans to be successful and get promoted and that's what attracted me here," he told the club's official website.

"I want to be part of that. The opportunity to play first-team football and drive the team to promotion is something that I want to do. I was at Aston Villa for eight years so I'm looking forward to this new stage in my career.

"It will be a bit strange not being there. Eight years is a long time, especially in football, so maybe a change will do me good and get me started again."

Weimann signed a four-year deal with County.