Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is on the verge of completing his latest career move, with the Colombian international reportedly en route to Russia to seal a loan deal with Zenit Saint Petersburg. This transfer represents Duran's third club change in a little over twelve months, highlighting a period of significant upheaval for the young forward.
A Turbulent Year for the Former Villa Man
Duran, who is just 22 years old, is currently contracted to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr until the summer of 2030. However, his journey since departing Aston Villa in January 2025 has been anything but straightforward. After a high-profile £64 million move to Al-Nassr, where he netted an impressive 12 goals in 18 appearances, Duran's stay in Riyadh was cut short. He secured a loan move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce last July, but his spell there has failed to ignite, with only five goals in 21 games during the first half of the season.
Zenit Move Confirmed as Loan Deal Agreed
According to reports from Foot Mercato, Duran is currently on a flight to Saint Petersburg to finalise the paperwork on a loan switch that will see him spend the remainder of the campaign with Zenit. His existing loan at Fenerbahce, which was originally scheduled to run until the end of the season, is being terminated prematurely to facilitate this move. The Russian club, managed by Sergei Semak, are aiming to win the Premier League title for the seventh time in eight years and currently sit second in the table, just one point behind leaders FC Krasnodar.
Duran's Villa Legacy and Future Prospects
During his two-year stint at Aston Villa, which began with an £18 million transfer from Chicago Fire in January 2023, Duran made a notable impact. He scored 20 goals in 78 appearances for the Villains, playing a key role in their run to the Conference League semi-finals and helping the club secure Champions League qualification in his first full season. His departure in early 2025 marked the end of a promising chapter at Villa Park.
This latest move to Zenit comes after widespread speculation linking Duran with several English clubs during the January transfer window, including Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur. Instead, he will now ply his trade in Russia, with his potential debut for Zenit expected in late February against Baltika, following the winter break. The club has twelve more league fixtures remaining this season as they push for the title.
What This Means for Zenit's Title Challenge
Zenit Saint Petersburg have not played a competitive match since December due to the Russian Premier League's winter hiatus. Their next outing is a mid-season friendly against league leaders Krasnodar on Friday. The addition of Duran is seen as a strategic boost to their attacking options as they aim to close the one-point gap at the top of the table. His arrival adds firepower to a squad that has won eleven and drawn six of their eighteen league matches so far this campaign.
For Jhon Duran, this move represents another opportunity to rediscover the form that made him a sought-after talent during his time at Aston Villa. As he prepares to embark on this new challenge in Russian football, all eyes will be on whether he can adapt quickly and contribute to Zenit's pursuit of domestic glory.
