EPL: Jhon Durán extends contract with Aston Villa

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Aston Villa has confirmed that striker Jhon Durán has signed a new contract, extending his stay at the club until 2030.

The 20-year-old forward has been in outstanding form at the start of this season, netting six goals, including a vital winner on Wednesday that secured Villa’s remarkable victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

“Aston Villa are delighted to announce that Jhon Durán has signed a new contract with the club until 2030. The 20-year-old has been in sparkling form at the start of this season, scoring six times, including the only goal on Wednesday night which sealed a famous win over German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League,” the club said in a statement on Monday via its website.

Durán’s standout performances have also seen him score decisive goals in Premier League matches against West Ham, Leicester City, and Everton, the latter featuring a stunning long-range strike.

The Colombian international joined Aston Villa in January 2023 from MLS club Chicago Fire and has quickly become an integral part of the squad.

Durán has quickly risen as one of the Premier League’s most unpredictable talents, with manager Unai Emery forecasting that the Colombian forward could evolve into a £100 million player.

A report by The Telegraph in September highlighted Durán’s impact as a game-changer, having scored eight Premier League goals as a substitute, including a stunning 30-yard winner against Everton earlier last month.

This summer, more than 30 clubs across Europe, including Chelsea, West Ham, AC Milan, and Sporting, showed interest in Durán. However, Emery was resolute in retaining the 19-year-old.

Durán’s journey from Medellín, Colombia, to the Premier League has been extraordinary.

Discovered by Chicago Fire’s technical director, Sebastian Pelzer, in 2020, Durán quickly impressed with his physical presence and blistering speed, leading to a $2 million move to Major League Soccer.