Aston Villa have announced the signing of former Arsenal and Fulham defender Philippe Senderos on a two-year deal.

The 29-year-old ended the 2013-14 campaign at Valencia following a four-year stint at Fulham, who were relegated to the Championship in May.

The centre-back, who spent six years playing for Arsenal before moving to Craven Cottage, is Villa's first signing of the summer.

"I'm really delighted to be joining Aston Villa, a great club with such a big history, and for me this is a great step in my career," Senderos told the club's official website.

"There will be a lot of competition for places with Ron Vlaar, Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker and Jores Okore also very capable Premier League defenders, so it will be up to me to fight for and to earn my place in the team.

"This is a team and a club which wants to do better, I know this, and hopefully we can all develop together and create something special."

Manager Paul Lambert added: "He's played for some top sides and was a big influence in Arsenal's run to the Champions League final in 2006, so we're bringing in a really experienced player who's been there and done it and that will be important for the team."

Senderos's contract will kick in on July 1 at Villa, who are yet to find a new owner following Randy Lerner's decision to sell the club at the end of last season.