The Benin international has signed a contract until 2020 on Teesside, after completing a medical, with the fee officially undisclosed but thought to be in the region of £6million.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has acted quickly in a bid to cure his side’s problems in front of goal, with a deal done to beat off competition from both Crystal Palace and West Brom.
Gestede is expected to be available for Boro’s FA Cup third-round clash with Sheffield Wednesday next weekend and the Africa Cup of Nations is not an issue as his country didn’t qualify.
The 28-year-old becomes Karanka’s first signing of the January transfer window and could be a catalyst for the departures of both Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent.
Gestede, who is renowned for his aerial strength, scored 32 league goals in 50 starts for Blackburn but his move to Villa in 2015 hasn’t fully worked out.
The club were relegated from the Premier League last season and Gestede has spent more time on the bench than in the starting XI, making just eight starts.
A short message on Villa’s club website read: ‘Thanks for your contributions, Rudy – and good luck for the future.’ Gestede will wear the No 29 shirt at Boro.
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