FORMER Aston Villa star Jhon Duran has joined his SEVENTH club at the age of 22, he’s joined Portuguese side Benfica on a season-long loan.
It’s his THIRD loan move since moving to Al Nassr just 18 months ago in a shock transfer.
Jhon Duran has left Al Nassr for the third time in 18 months Credit: Getty
He will go on loan to Benfica Credit: Getty
The Portuguese team will pay a £5.19million loan fee with an option to make it permanent for £25.5m at the end of the season.
Following the move Duran said: “I am happy! I continue to say that it is the biggest club in Portugal. I am very grateful to be here.
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“I have very high expectations of being here. I want to play well, give my all and become champion.”
But the £25.5m buy option is pennies compared to the £64m the Saudis, who are now managed by ex-Tottenham and Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou, paid Villa for his services in January 2025.
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It was a transfer which shocked football, as the striker appeared to have the world at his feet at Villa Park.
He was very much competing with Ollie Watkins for the first-choice No9 spot at the age of 21.
He built a reputation for scoring important and memorable goals as he chipped in with late winners and long-range worldies for Unai Emery‘s side.
His potential looked like it had no ceiling.
Duran was playing out of his skin at Aston Villa before moving to Saudi Credit: Getty
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Prem giants Chelsea held a real interest in the Colombian striker in the summer of 2024, ahead of what would be his last season in the claret and blue of Aston Villa.
However, since his big money move to the Saudi sands, where he earns over £300,000 a week, his career has gone off the rails.
After just five months, Duran joined Turkish side Fenerbahce on loan, where he had some injury troubles and managed three goals in ten appearances.
Despite joining Fenerbahce on a season-long loan, he then switched to Zenit St Petersburg of Russia in February this year.
He managed one goal in six league appearances for the Russians and subsequently returned to Saudi this summer.
And this latest move indicates that Duran has no interest in pursuing a career in Saudi Arabia, it was a move which seemed to be over almost as soon as it began.
