Jhon Jader Durán Palacios broke into professional football at the age of 15, becoming the second-youngest goalscorer in Categoría Primera A while representing Envigado.
Early Career and Move to Chicago
Born in 2003, Durán spent his formative years at Envigado, where he joined the youth setup at age 11. He debuted professionally in February 2019 and registered his first league goal months later. By 2021, Chicago Fire secured his services for approximately £1.5 million. He moved to the club in 2022, scoring 8 goals in 27 league appearances before his departure the following year.
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In January 2023, Aston Villa completed a deal for Durán worth an initial £14.75 million. During his tenure in England, he became recognized for his high-impact cameos. Notable performances included a brace against Liverpool in May 2024 and a winning goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League during October 2024. He earned the Premier League Goal of the Month for September 2024 following a long-range strike against Everton.
International Transfers and Loan Spells
A high-value transfer to Al-Nassr occurred in January 2025, with reports valuing the move at £64.2 million. Durán subsequently embarked on a series of loans, beginning with Fenerbahçe in July 2025, where he played in both the Champions League and Europa League. Following his time in Turkey and a subsequent stint at Zenit Saint Petersburg, he moved to Benfica in July 2026, scoring his first goal for the club against Hearts the following month.
International Participation
Durán made his senior debut for Colombia on 24 September 2022 against Guatemala, entering as a substitute for Radamel Falcao. He scored his inaugural international goal against Japan in March 2023. While he reached the final of the 2024 Copa America, he was ultimately excluded from the final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite being included in the preliminary 55-man selection.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 December 2003, Medellín, Colombia
- Professional debut: 13 February 2019, Envigado
- Aston Villa transfer fee: £14.75 million
- Al-Nassr transfer fee: £64.2 million
- 2024 honours: Copa America runner-up
- 2025 honours: Turkish Super Cup
- 2026 honours: Russian Premier League
Questions readers ask
Which club did Jhon Durán play for after leaving Aston Villa?
He transferred to the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in January 2025.
Did Durán play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
No, although he was named in the preliminary 55-man squad, he was not selected for the final 26-man roster.
