Colombian forward Jhon Duran is set to join Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, a move that would mark the sixth club of his professional career following the termination of his loan spell at Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The 21-year-old has cut short his stay in Turkey and is close to completing a loan deal with Zenit, bringing to an end a turbulent 12 months that has seen him move across multiple leagues and continents.
Duran left Aston Villa in January 2025 in a high-profile £71 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he featured alongside global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite an encouraging return of eight goals in 13 appearances, Al-Nassr finished third in the Saudi Pro League, and Duran was subsequently loaned to Fenerbahce during the summer transfer window.
His time in Turkey proved limited, with the striker making just 10 league appearances. Nevertheless, he played a role in Fenerbahce’s recent Turkish Super Cup triumph, scoring during the final against fierce rivals Galatasaray last month.
Duran rose to prominence at Aston Villa, where he became a fan favourite for his explosive style and knack for scoring crucial goals. He memorably netted the winner against Bayern Munich in Europe and began his professional journey with Envigado in Colombia before moving to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire at just 18 years old.
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After one season in the United States, Villa secured his signature in January 2023 for a fee reported to be around £14 million. He quickly endeared himself to supporters, scoring the club’s Goal of the Season against Crystal Palace during the 2023–24 campaign.
His impact was further felt in Villa’s dramatic 3–3 draw with Liverpool on the final home matchday of that season, where he scored twice to help seal Champions League qualification.
However, his relationship with the Villa fanbase became strained after he publicly flirted with a move to West Ham United, including a controversial social media post making an “Irons” gesture. The transfer ultimately failed to materialise.
At the start of the 2024–25 season, amid doubts over his commitment, Duran responded emphatically by scoring the winning goal against West Ham and celebrating in a manner that suggested loyalty to Villa. He later produced another standout moment in October 2024, firing a spectacular long-range strike against Bayern Munich during Villa’s return to European competition.
Despite his on-field contributions, speculation persisted over unrest behind the scenes, particularly regarding manager Unai Emery’s difficulty in accommodating both Duran and Ollie Watkins, Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer, in the same starting lineup.
Villa teammate Morgan Rogers once described Duran as “the most chilled, relaxed person” he had encountered, noting that “he becomes a completely different player once he steps onto the pitch.”
Emery publicly showed frustration after Duran was sent off against Newcastle United on Boxing Day in 2024, though much of his criticism was directed at VAR. By the end of the January transfer window, Villa sanctioned his move to Al-Nassr, with Emery later describing the deal as financially beneficial for the club.
Duran arrived in Saudi Arabia at a time when the league was aggressively recruiting top European-based talent, joining a star-studded squad featuring Ronaldo and former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane.
While his performances were widely praised, reports indicated the young striker struggled to settle off the pitch, opting to live in neighbouring Bahrain, approximately 300 miles from Al-Nassr’s base in Riyadh.
Now on the verge of another move, Duran’s anticipated switch to Zenit St Petersburg represents the latest chapter in a career defined by rapid rises, high expectations, and constant change.
