Benfica complete Jhon Durán signing

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·21 Juli 2026

Benfica complete Jhon Durán signing

Jhon Durán signs for Benfica on a one-year loan with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season (Photo: SL Benfica)

Colombian striker Jhon Durán will be a Benfica player in the 2026/27 season. The Eagles have signed the 22-year-old international on a one-year loan deal from Al Nassr for 6.1 million euros, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season for €30 million.

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“I’m grateful to God for getting to this team,” said Durán upon arriving at Lisbon airport. “It’s the biggest club in Portugal. I’m here to win. I’m very happy to be here.”

Durán was bought by the Saudi Arabian team from Aston Villa, but last season he played in Europe. He was loaned to Fenerbahçe in the first half of the 2025/26 (5 goals, 2 assists in 21 games) and Zenit St. Petersburg in the second half of the campaign (2 goals in 9 matches).

Born in Medillín, despite his young age the powerful striker is well-travelled having played in six different countries in his career so far before coming to Portugal: Colombia, USA, England, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Russia.

He shot to fame during his time at Aston Villa, showing great promise in the world’s most high-profile league, but ultimately his lack of consistency and disciplinary problems led to his sale by the EPL club.

Marco Silva, who will have seen Durán’s best moments at close quarters while managing Fulham in England, will be hoping he can bring the best out of an undoubtedly highly talented player.

Durán is Benfica’s fourth signing during the close season, following on from centre-backs Gabriel Índio and Clément Lenglet, and Polish winger Jakub Kaminski.