Colombian forward Jhon Duran has joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, the Portuguese club confirmed. The deal includes a €30 million option for Benfica to make the transfer permanent. Duran’s move represents a significant shift for the 22-year-old, who has experienced a rapid succession of clubs in recent seasons.
Al-Nassr signed Duran from Aston Villa in January 2025 for a reported fee of €76 million, securing him on a five-year contract. However, the forward struggled to establish himself in Riyadh, making 18 appearances and scoring 12 goals since February 2025. According to The Sun, Duran faced a challenging logistical situation, commuting 1,000km daily by plane between his home in Bahrain and his club in Riyadh.
Duran’s time at Al-Nassr was marked by inconsistency, including a red card in his third match and a subsequent decline in playing time. He was a part of the Al-Nassr team that reached the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League in the same year, but hadn't featured for the club since May 21st, 2025. This led to a series of loan spells aimed at reigniting his career.
Prior to the move to Benfica, Duran spent six months on loan at Fenerbahçe, where he made 21 appearances and registered eight goal contributions. Following a premature end to that loan, interest from Lille did not materialize into a transfer, and Duran joined Zenit Saint Petersburg. His stint in Russia proved equally unproductive, with just nine appearances and two goals. Benfica represents Duran’s third loan move in quick succession, offering him another opportunity to prove his potential.
Benfica will need Duran to quickly integrate into the squad as they prepare for their second qualifying round tie for the Europa League against Saint-Gall on July 23rd and 30th. A successful loan spell could lead to a permanent transfer, offering Duran a stable platform to build upon after a turbulent period in his career. His ability to rediscover his form will be crucial for both his personal development and Benfica’s European ambitions.
