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Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, aged 22, has joined Portuguese club Benfica on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. Benfica will pay a £5.19m loan fee with an option to make the move permanent for £25.5m at the end of the 2026-27 season. Duran, a Colombia international, expressed happiness and high expectations, aiming to become champion. This marks his seventh club in seven countries, following stints at Envigado, Chicago Fire, Aston Villa, Al-Nassr, Fenerbahce, and Zenit St Petersburg. His career has been marked by rapid moves, including a £71m sale to Al-Nassr in January 2025, a cancelled loan at Fenerbahce after Jose Mourinho's sacking, and a brief spell at Zenit where he scored three goals in nine games.
Source report
By: Sam Drury, BBC Sport journalist
Image caption: Jhon Duran scored twice in nine appearances for Zenit St Petersburg
Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese giants will be the seventh club of Duran's career at the age of just 22, following recent stints with Fenerbahce and Zenit St Petersburg.
Benfica will pay a £5.19m (€6.1m) loan fee for the Colombia international, with the option to make the move permanent for £25.5m (€30m) at the end of the 2026-27 season.
"I am happy! I continue to say that it is the biggest club in Portugal. I am very grateful to be here," said Duran.
"I have very high expectations of being here. I want to play well, give my all and become champion."
Career Journey
- 2019: Began professional career with Colombian side Envigado
- 2022: Moved to MLS team Chicago Fire
- January 2023: Joined Aston Villa for £14m, quickly becoming a fan favourite
- Summer 2024: A move to West Ham fell through
- January 2025: Sold to Al-Nassr for £71m after scoring a famous Champions League winner for Villa against Bayern Munich
- 2025-26: Scored eight goals in 13 games for Al-Nassr, but stayed only half a season before moving to Fenerbahce on loan
- February 2026: Loan cancelled after manager Jose Mourinho was sacked less than a month after Duran's debut; joined Zenit St Petersburg
- 2026: Scored three goals in nine games in Russia before securing a loan move to Benfica
Duran now has the chance to make a home at Benfica — his seventh club in the seventh country of his young career.
Related Topics
- European Football
- Football
Source
BBC SportWestern
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Ex-Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran joins Benfica on season-long loan from Al-Nassr