Colombia forward Jhon Duran has been signed by Aston Villa, the club announced on Monday. The Premier League club paid a transfer fee of $18 million guaranteed to the Chicago Fire for the player, with another $4 million in addition if certain performance metrics are met.
Chicago will also receive an undisclosed portion of any future transfer fee paid for the player. Colombian club Envigado, where Duran started his career, will also receive a portion of the transfer proceeds.
At 19 years old, Duran has attracted the interest of an array of top European clubs including Benfica, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
Duran is currently in Colombia where he is preparing to represent his nation at the 2023 South American under-20 Championship.
The deal is still pending the player’s agreement to personal terms with Aston Villa as well as a medical and the acquisition of a valid work permit for the UK.
Upon the completion of the deal, Duran’s transfer will be the third highest in MLS history. Newcastle United paid $26 million for Miguel Almiron in 2019, while Bayern Munich forked out $22 million for Alphonso Davies during the same transfer window.
