Colombian forward Jhon Durán has completed a transfer to Benfica, with the Portuguese club paying a fee of just over €6 million for his services. The move represents a significant decrease in valuation from his transfer to Al-Nassr in winter 2025, where he was signed for €77 million.
At 22 years old, Durán has already experienced a nomadic career, having played in six different countries prior to joining Benfica. His previous clubs include Chicago Fire, Aston Villa, Al-Nassr, Fenerbahçe, and Zenit Saint Petersburg, in addition to his formative years with Envigado. This transfer will mark his seventh country of residence as a professional footballer.
Durán’s time at Al-Nassr was particularly unusual, as he was based in Bahrain and required a daily commute of approximately 1,000 kilometers to join his teammates. He made 18 appearances for the Saudi Arabian side before securing a move to Benfica. The Colombian international was not part of his nation’s squad for the recent World Cup.
This move to Benfica sees Durán join a club with a strong tradition of developing young talent and competing in European competitions. The Portuguese side will be hoping the forward can recapture the form that initially attracted attention from major clubs. For Aston Villa, the sale represents a recouping of funds on a player who did not establish himself as a regular starter under Unai Emery. The transfer provides Benfica with attacking options as they look to maintain their dominance in Portuguese football and progress in the Champions League.
