Former Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is poised to join the sixth club of his young career, with the Colombia international close to completing a loan move to Zenit St Petersburg after terminating his temporary spell at Fenerbahce.
At just 22, Duran’s latest switch continues a nomadic trajectory that has unfolded at remarkable speed over the past year. He left Aston Villa in January 2025 in a headline-grabbing £71 million move to Al-Nassr, where he lined up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, only to depart six months later despite a respectable return of eight goals in 13 appearances as the Saudi side finished third in the Pro League.
A loan to Fenerbahce last summer appeared to offer stability, but Duran made only 10 league appearances in Turkey. While his overall impact was limited, he did play a role in Fenerbahce’s Turkish Super Cup triumph against rivals Galatasaray, providing a brief highlight in an otherwise disrupted spell.
Now, a move to Zenit — currently second in the Russian Premier League — represents another reset, albeit in a competition isolated from European football due to ongoing sanctions.
From Fan Favourite to Fast Exit at Villa
Duran’s rise began with Envigado in Colombia before a move to Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer at 18. After just one season in the United States, Aston Villa secured his signature in January 2023 for around £14 million.
His early impact in England was significant. Duran’s direct, fearless style quickly endeared him to supporters, and he produced several defining moments, including a late brace against Liverpool in a 3–3 draw that helped secure Champions League qualification, and a stunning long-range winner against Bayern Munich in Villa’s return to Europe’s elite competition.
Yet his relationship with the fanbase was tested in the summer of 2024 when he appeared to agitate for a move to West Ham, even posting an “irons” gesture on social media. The transfer collapsed, and Duran later appeared to reaffirm his commitment by scoring the winner against West Ham early in the 2024-25 season.
Despite strong performances, questions persisted over his long-term role under Unai Emery, particularly alongside Ollie Watkins, Villa’s leading Premier League-era goalscorer. Off the pitch, Duran was described by team-mate Morgan Rogers as “the most chilled, relaxed person I’ve ever met,” adding that he transformed into “a different animal” once the match began.
Tensions surfaced late in 2024 when Emery reacted angrily to Duran’s red card against Newcastle on Boxing Day — frustration largely aimed at VAR — and by the end of January, Villa sanctioned his sale to Al-Nassr. Emery later justified the decision by pointing to the scale of the transfer fee, calling it “good news for us”.
Saudi Gamble and Turkish Stagnation
Duran’s move to Saudi Arabia came amid an aggressive recruitment drive by Pro League clubs. While his goal return was solid, reports suggested he struggled to settle, with claims he based himself in Bahrain rather than Riyadh.
The subsequent loan to Fenerbahce initially promised a fresh chapter, but instability quickly followed. Manager Jose Mourinho was dismissed less than a month after Duran’s debut, and injuries disrupted his momentum. He scored just three league goals and was largely anonymous in a Europa League meeting with former club Aston Villa, where Tyrone Mings successfully neutralised him.
Another Reset in Russia
Zenit now offer Duran another opportunity to restart his career, though the context is markedly different. While the club attract strong domestic support and remain competitive in Russia, they are barred from European competition, limiting both exposure and progression.
Duran’s career to date reflects a player unafraid to make bold choices. Shortly after his Saudi move, he posted an image on Instagram riding a three-wheeled motorbike with the caption: “Don’t try to please everybody – that ain’t good.”
At 22, his journey remains unconventional, but if nothing else, it underlines a willingness to chart his own path — wherever it may lead next.
