Jhon Duran’s Turbulent Journey: From Villa to Zenit St. Petersburg

omidbasir- After a rather uneventful beginning at Aston Villa following his transfer from MLS’ Chicago Fire in January 2023, it is fair to say that Jhon Duran made a significant impact in English football early last season. The Colombian forward scored four goals in Villa’s first five Premier League matches—all as a substitute—highlighted by a stunning long-range winner against Everton.

Duran continued to impress on the European stage, scoring in two of the Villans’ first three Champions League group matches, including a late winner against Bayern Munich at Villa Park, securing his place in the club’s history.

Despite these achievements, Duran did not secure a regular starting position, with the England international Ollie Watkins favored by head coach Unai Emery. Emery commented on Duran’s potential, expressing his desire to support and challenge him to reach his best. He noted, “His potential is huge… We have to feel comfortable with both strikers.”

However, Duran’s fortunes took a turn during a goal drought from late September to early December 2024, where he struggled for playing time. While he managed to score in the Champions League, his temperamental nature began to surface, reflecting his idolization of the volatile Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

A notable incident occurred during a match against Bologna in October when Duran reacted poorly to being substituted, leading to a shocking display of frustration as he kicked and punched the seats in the Villa Park dugout. Although Emery attempted to downplay the incident, it became evident that managing Duran’s temperament was proving challenging.

In a later interview with Sky Sports, Duran acknowledged their turbulent relationship, stating, “There are moments of love and hate… But I feel very grateful to him and his coaching staff. We have our disagreements, which is normal for someone of my age and someone like him who knows so much.”

Despite a jovial tone, Duran’s words hinted at his dissatisfaction with his role as a super-sub. By December, he had attracted transfer interest from several major clubs, including Arsenal and Barcelona, even after signing a new long-term contract just two months prior.

When given a chance to start against Southampton, Duran scored the winner, followed by goals against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, earning him further starts. However, a critical mistake led to his dismissal during a match against Newcastle, resulting in a three-game suspension and limited minutes thereafter. In January, concerns over Premier League regulations regarding profitability led Villa to reconsider their stance on selling him.

Ultimately, Al-Nassr made a significant move to acquire Duran for €77 million (£64.5m/$80m) at the end of the transfer window, amid reports of him receiving an astonishing contract worth £17m ($21m) annually. Villa opted for this sale rather than risk losing him to a European rival.

Initially, Duran’s goal-scoring continued, netting four times in his first two league matches with Al-Nassr. However, off-field issues soon arose, including reports of him residing in Bahrain rather than Saudi Arabia to evade strict laws affecting his personal life. While Al-Nassr dismissed these claims, his performances suffered as the club struggled, and he became a scapegoat for not meeting expectations.

Just five months after joining the Saudi club, rumors of Duran’s departure emerged, despite having scored 12 goals in 18 appearances. He opted for a loan move to Fenerbahce in Turkey, drawn by the prospect of revitalizing his career. However, more complications arose, including his late arrival to pre-season training, leading to friction with head coach Jose Mourinho.

Duran’s season was further disrupted by a bone inflammation injury, and even when fit, he found scoring difficult, netting only five times in 21 appearances. Despite expectations of completing his loan stint, he abruptly terminated his contract with Fenerbahce in early February, plunging deeper into obscurity.

Now, at just 22 years old, Duran has joined his sixth club, signing with Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. While Zenit offers the opportunity for silverware, it also isolates him from broader European competition.

Duran’s move appears financially motivated, as he aims to secure his spot in Colombia’s World Cup squad after not representing his country since June 2025. “They explained Zenit’s goals to me, and I was impressed. I believe I will be successful and happy at Zenit,” he stated regarding his decision.

Zenit manager Sergei Semak expressed optimism about Duran’s potential impact, emphasizing the importance of his motivation in securing a place for Colombia in the upcoming World Cup. The loan deal includes an option to buy, indicating Duran’s future remains uncertain as he navigates this latest chapter in his young career.