On January 30, 2025 Jhon Jader Durán shocked the football world when Saudi club Al Nassr officially announced his signing.
The Saudi Pro League has been making headlines for the past two years, mostly thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar (who has since returned to Brazil). But beyond the superstars, the league has continued to attract big names like Karim Benzema, Steven Bergwijn, and Gini Wijnaldum. Unlike the others, though, 21-year-old Durán made the move just as he was starting to flourish at Aston Villa—one of the top teams in the world's best league, the English Premier League.
It should have been a shocking transfer. After all, few players willingly leave a strong Premier League side while performing well. Durán, mostly used as an impact sub, had already bagged seven goals with an impressive average of one every 89 minutes. But this wasn’t the first time he prioritized financial gain over professional development. In fact, Durán is among the rare Colombian players who arrived in Europe via MLS rather than directly from his homeland.
Born in Medellín on December 13, 2003, and raised in Zaragoza (Antioquia), Durán's love for football ignited early. He came up through the ranks of Envigado FC, a club known for producing top talents. His breakthrough came fast—he made his pro debut on February 13, 2019, in a Copa Colombia match against Jaguares de Córdoba, and by September 1, he had scored his first Categoría Primera A goal against Águilas Doradas. At just 15 years and 8 months, he became the league’s second-youngest goalscorer. His potential was quickly recognized when The Guardian named him among the "60 best young talents in world football" in 2020, alongside Tomás Ángel, son of the legendary Juan Pablo Ángel.
Just like with Al Nassr, Durán made an unexpected move early in his career. When everyone assumed his next step would be Europe, he surprised many by signing with MLS side Chicago Fire. However, it didn’t take long for Aston Villa to snatch him up after just one season in the U.S. At Villa, he made 55 appearances and scored 12 goals across domestic and European competitions. This season seemed like his big breakthrough—he was finally making an impact, looking like a star in the making. That’s why his decision to leave for a weaker, less competitive league in the middle of his rise was so shocking.
Since joining Al Nassr, Durán has played four matches and scored four goals, one of which was voted Goal of the Week. After scoring, he sprinted toward the Al Nassr fans, who erupted in celebration and leaped over barriers to hug him. Is this move the right one for his career? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Durán is the first rising star to choose Saudi Arabia over a long-term European career, signaling a shift in the league's appeal. It’s no longer just a retirement destination for aging stars—it's now luring young talents, too.
Despite his claims that money wasn’t the main factor, the financial reality is hard to ignore. At Al Nassr, Durán will earn 10 times what he made at Aston Villa, with a staggering €100 million contract over five years. For a kid from humble beginnings in Colombia, that kind of payday is life-changing. He is now the most expensive Colombian player in history and the second-most expensive signing in Saudi league history, with Al Nassr shelling out €90 million to bring him in.
However, Durán's move hasn’t been welcomed by everyone. Colombia's national team coach, Néstor Lorenzo, and his staff have voiced concerns over the transfer. While they respect his decision, they fear it could harm his competitiveness and ultimately weaken his role as Colombia’s main striker.
Lorenzo had expected Durán to keep developing in Europe, whether in the Premier League, Serie A, or La Liga. While they understand the financial appeal, they worry about the long-term impact on both the player and the national team. This stance is consistent with Lorenzo's previous advice to players like James Rodríguez, whom he urged to leave the Middle East to stay competitive for the national team.
For now, Durán is thriving in Saudi Arabia, but the bigger question remains: will this move make or break his career?
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