Jhon Durán joins Benfica, the seventh club of his career at 22

Jhon Durán has officially joined Benfica on loan from Al Nassr, marking the seventh club of his career at just 22 years old.

The initial loan fee is set at €6.1 million (approximately $6.9 million), with an option for Benfica to make the deal permanent for €30 million (around $34.2 million).

The Colombian international has experience playing in various leagues, including the English Premier League, MLS, Saudi Pro League, Turkish Süper Lig, and the Russian Premier League. His next chapter takes place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

“I still say it’s the biggest club in Portugal. I’m very grateful to be here. I want to give it my all! I want to work hard and help the team. I always like to do my best, but I have to work at it,” Durán stated on Benfica’s website.

“I have very high expectations of being here. I want to play well, give it my all, and be crowned champion. I want to work hard to repay all the love they [Benfica fans] have shown me through their messages.”

Durán’s career began at Envigado in Colombia in 2019, before he made a move to Chicago Fire in MLS in 2022. He later joined Aston Villa in 2023 and made headlines by scoring the winner against Bayern Munich in a 2024 Champions League match.

Despite his fan-favorite status at Aston Villa, Durán switched to Al Nassr in January 2025, where he played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. However, just six months later, he was loaned to Fenerbahce, managed by José Mourinho at the time, although he was dismissed shortly after.

By February 2026, Durán was loaned to Zenit Saint Petersburg after his spell at Fenerbahce was cut short. Now, he will don Benfica’s colors under Marco Silva as they aim to reclaim the Primeira Liga title. The team achieved an unbeaten season last year under Mourinho but ended in third place, falling short to Porto.

Fans hope that Durán may finally find a stable home at Benfica, something that has yet to happen in his fluctuating career.