Jhon Duran’s career veers into Russian obscurity with Zenit move | OneFootball

Jhon Duran, 22, has joined Zenit St Petersburg for the rest of 2025-26, a left-field step that risks further obscurity with Russian clubs barred from UEFA competition. Goal.com reports it is already his sixth club and third move in 12 months.

The Colombian burst onto the scene at Aston Villa in early 2024-25, scoring four in the first five Premier League games as a substitute and delivering a late Champions League winner against Bayern Munich. Ollie Watkins remained preferred and a dugout outburst after being substituted against Bologna underlined growing tension.

By December he was linked with Real Madrid, Bayern and Chelsea despite a recent new deal. Given a league start he scored against Southampton, then struck versus Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, but was sent off on Boxing Day at Newcastle in a 3-0 defeat. A ban and reduced minutes preceded a late January 2025 switch to Al-Nassr.

Duran began in Saudi Arabia with four goals in two league matches, then struggled to settle as form dipped and scrutiny rose. After five months he joined Fenerbahce on loan in Türkiye, missed time with injury and managed five in 21 before cutting the loan short this month.

Zenit sit second in the Russian Premier League, so silverware is possible, but visibility will be limited. Duran says he is choosing the best path for his family and believes he can succeed, while Sergei Semak expects World Cup motivation to translate into impact.

Source: Goal.com