In a surprising turn of events, former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has completed a shock move to Zenit St Petersburg, marking his third transfer in just 13 months since departing the Premier League. The Colombian forward's latest career move has raised eyebrows across the football world.
Transfer Details and Fabrizio Romano's Confirmation
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news with his trademark "here we go" announcement, revealing that Duran has agreed to terminate his contract with Turkish side Fenerbahce to embark on this unexpected new challenge in Russia. The 22-year-old will join Zenit on a straight loan deal from Al Nassr, with no buy option included in the agreement.
Romano specifically addressed previous speculation about French club Lille's interest, stating clearly that Lille was never a serious option for the young striker. This clarification puts to rest rumours that had circulated in January about Duran's potential return to European football through Ligue 1.
Duran's Recent Career Journey
From Villa to Saudi Arabia
Duran's whirlwind transfer journey began in January 2025 when he left Aston Villa for a mega move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. At the time, Villa manager Unai Emery expressed mixed feelings about the departure, acknowledging that while he would have preferred to keep developing the player at Villa Park, he understood the attraction of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in an improving league.
The Colombian had shown promising form during his time at Villa, with West Ham United having reportedly made offers of around £57 million for his services during the previous summer transfer window. His decision to move to Saudi Arabia was described by some pundits as primarily a "money move," though Duran initially impressed with 12 goals in his first 18 appearances.
Turkish Disappointment and European Return
Despite his promising start in the Middle East, Duran reportedly struggled to settle in Saudi Arabia and sought a return to European football. His subsequent move to Fenerbahce in Turkey proved disappointing, with the striker managing just five goals in 21 matches and often failing to secure a regular starting position, particularly following Jose Mourinho's departure to Benfica.
The Russian Premier League Context
Duran's move to Zenit St Petersburg represents one of the very few high-profile transfers to the Russian Premier League since the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The political situation has significantly impacted Russian football, with the national team currently banned from competing in the European Championships and World Cup, while Russian clubs are barred from participating in UEFA and FIFA competitions.
This isolation makes it difficult to assess the current standard of the Russian Premier League compared to other European competitions, adding another layer of uncertainty to Duran's latest career move.
Career Trajectory and International Prospects
Remarkably, by the age of just 22, Duran has already played for six different clubs across four continents. His journey has taken him from Envigado in his native Colombia to Chicago Fire in the United States, then to Aston Villa in England, followed by Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Fenerbahce in Turkey, and now Zenit St Petersburg in Russia.
Despite his club career becoming increasingly itinerant, Duran remains an important figure for the Colombian national team, having earned 17 caps and scored three international goals. He is expected to feature prominently in Colombia's squad for the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, providing him with a platform to showcase his talents on football's biggest stage.
The coming months will reveal whether this surprising move to Russia represents a positive step in Duran's development or another chapter in what has become a remarkably peripatetic early career for the talented Colombian striker.
