Jhon Duran makes blistering start to life in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr after £65m switch from Aston Villa in January transfer window

Jhon Duran has made an electric start to life in Saudi Arabia following his £72million move to Al-Nassr from Aston Villa in the January transfer window. 

Duran, 21, was sold to the Saudi-based side in what came as a shock move to many given that he had impressed under Unai Emery in the first half of the campaign. 

Having scored 10 goals across 27 games – 23 of which saw him introduced as a substitute – Duran quickly became regarded as one of the top young strikers in Europe. 

Duran signed for Villa from Chicago Fire in January 2023 and made 78 appearances for the club. 

But just as he looked to be making a case to become a regular starter for the Villains, he was offloaded to Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League side featuring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte. 

The Colombian international has gelled impressively with his team-mates since the switch, scoring four goals in his first two matches for the club. 

Duran, 21, was sold to the Saudi-based side in what came as a shock move to many given that he had impressed under Unai Emery in the first half of the campaign

Duran scored a brace on his full debut for his new employers, helping them to sweep aside Al-Fayha 3-0. 

He continued his hot streak on Wednesday, helping himself to another two goals to guide Al-Nassr past Ivan Toney’s Al-Ahli – with the England forward also scoring a goal of his own. 

Al-Nassr currently sit third in the Saudi Pro League, two points behind second-place Al-Hilal and four points off leaders Al-Ittihad. 

Dhuran’s side are also ensured of a knockout place in the AFC Champions League, having won five of their seven matches in the group stage. 

The striker’s hot streak comes as he admitted to feeling starstruck by playing in the same team as Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Speaking after his first game for Al-Nassr, Duran said: ‘It feels like I’m playing FIFA Career Mode. I’m celebrating goals with Cristiano Ronaldo!’