Aston Villa are poised to announce their second signing of the January transfer window, securing a deal for highly-rated teenage striker Brian Madjo.
Villa Move Quickly to Secure Future Talent
Despite financial constraints, Unai Emery's side is acting decisively in the market. Following the arrival of 19-year-old Brazilian Alysson, Villa have now agreed a fee of around €12 million (£10.4m) with French club FC Metz for 16-year-old Brian Madjo. Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news, stating the player has already travelled to Birmingham for his medical.
Provided he passes the necessary checks, Madjo is expected to become a Villa player before the weekend concludes, with his contract commencing on Monday, January 12th—his 17th birthday. The club's immediate focus remains their FA Cup third-round tie away at Tottenham Hotspur, a match Madjo may attend.
Profile of a Prodigy: Who is Brian Madjo?
Born in Enfield, Madjo is a physically imposing striker, standing at 6ft 4in tall. He has represented both Luxembourg and England at youth levels and has already earned a senior cap for Luxembourg, though he retains the option to switch his international allegiance to England in the future.
Despite his youth, Madjo has gained valuable experience in France's top division, making five appearances in Ligue 1 this season. His promotion to the senior squad came on the back of an impressive record of 12 goals in 24 games for Metz's under-19 side.
Comparisons to Legends and a "Complete Profile"
Madjo's stature and style have inevitably drawn comparisons to powerful centre-forwards of the past. His profile has been likened to that of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and current star Romelu Lukaku.
In a bold assessment, Luxembourg's technical director Manuel Cardoni suggested Madjo may have a more rounded game than the Belgian international. "His profile is similar," Cardoni stated. "But, even if we are keeping our feet on the ground, Brian has a more complete profile [than Lukaku], because he is good in tight spaces, really good in terms of positional play."
Cardoni also praised the youngster's ability to run in behind defences and his proficiency with both feet, concluding he has "huge room for growth." Madjo, whose father is former Cameroonian footballer Guy Madjo, had also attracted interest from clubs including Chelsea and Real Madrid before Villa's successful swoop.
This acquisition signals Aston Villa's clear strategy under Unai Emery: investing in high-potential youth to build for the future while maintaining competitiveness in the present. Madjo's arrival adds another exciting prospect to the project unfolding at Villa Park.
