Jhon Duran's Zenit St Petersburg Debut Overshadowed by Early Controversy
Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has sparked controversy yet again, this time during his debut for Zenit St Petersburg. The Colombian forward received a yellow card merely five minutes after coming on as a substitute in a pre-season friendly against Shanghai Port. The incident occurred when Duran appeared to put an opponent in a headlock before dragging him to the turf, prompting immediate intervention from the match official.
A Turbulent Career Path Leading to Russia
Duran's move to Zenit marks the latest chapter in a career that has taken several unexpected turns over the past year. The 22-year-old spent two seasons at Aston Villa, scoring 20 goals in 78 appearances across all competitions while competing with Ollie Watkins for a starting position. However, his time at Villa Park was followed by a controversial £64.5 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in January 2025.
This Saudi switch materialized after Duran had been strongly linked with moves to Premier League sides West Ham and Chelsea, with reports suggesting the forward was actively seeking a departure from Villa. His stay in Saudi Arabia proved brief, as he secured a loan move to Turkish side Fenerbahce during the summer of 2025, reportedly attracted by a more favorable wage package.
Struggles in Turkey and Move to Zenit
Duran's loan spell at Fenerbahce failed to yield the expected results, with the striker managing just five goals in 21 appearances before the arrangement was terminated. This paved the way for his latest move to Zenit St Petersburg, who signed him on loan in early February 2026. The Russian club is currently banned from participating in UEFA competitions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The friendly nature of the match against Shanghai Port may have worked in Duran's favor, with the referee opting for a yellow card rather than a more severe punishment. After the headlock incident, both players rose to their feet and shook hands before the official issued the booking and instructed them to cool down.
A History of Disciplinary Issues
This is not the first time Duran has found himself in disciplinary trouble during his career. While at Aston Villa, he was once sent off after being deemed to have lashed out at Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar. Furthermore, reports from The Athletic allege that during his time at Villa, there were instances of him arriving late to team meetings and disrupting proceedings, with his behavior reportedly teetering on the brink of violating the club's disciplinary standards.
The incident during his Zenit debut continues a pattern of controversial behavior that has followed Duran throughout recent seasons. As he attempts to revive his career in Russia, questions remain about whether he can channel his competitive spirit more productively on the pitch while avoiding further disciplinary issues that have marred his promising talent.
