Aston Villa have confirmed their second acquisition of the January transfer window, securing the signature of highly-rated teenage striker Brian Madjo from French Ligue 1 side FC Metz.
Details of the Deal and Player Profile
The deal for the young forward is understood to be worth in the region of £10 million. Madjo, who celebrated his 17th birthday on Monday, has committed his future to the Premier League club by signing a long-term contract. This move marks a return to England for the player, who was born in Enfield before being raised in Luxembourg.
Despite his youth, Madjo brings a unique blend of experience. He is currently part of the England Under-17s setup, for whom he has played four times, scoring in a 2–1 victory over Venezuela last September. Intriguingly, he also has senior international experience, having earned three caps for the Luxembourg senior team last year. He started in their notable 1–0 win against Sweden in March 2025, playing for an hour.
Career Path and Playing Style
Madjo's football journey began at FC Marisca Mersch in Luxembourg before he progressed to the youth academy of Racing FC Union Luxembourg. His talent earned him a move to FC Metz in the summer of 2023. After initially featuring for their Under-19s, his rapid development led to a senior debut this season against Strasbourg in August, followed by another start against Lyon.
Standing at an imposing 6 feet 3 inches tall, Madjo is described as a physically formidable and technically skilled striker. One Luxembourg football reporter characterised him as "built like a rock, athletic, and technically gifted - a rare find." His international youth coach is Liam Bramley, who previously worked at Villa's academy as an Under-18 assistant manager between 2020 and 2022, adding a familiar connection to the club.
What This Signing Means for Villa
This signing represents a significant investment in future talent for Aston Villa. Securing a player of Madjo's potential, who already has a taste of senior football in a top European league and unusual international experience, aligns with a strategy of building for the long term. His arrival bolsters the club's attacking options and adds a different physical profile to their ranks.
For Brian Madjo, the transfer is a major step in his burgeoning career, offering him the platform of the Premier League and the chance to develop further within Villa's academy structure, now under the guidance of Unai Emery's coaching staff.
