Jhon Durán’s whirlwind continues: Zenit seal extended loan for the 22-year-old striker
On Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 (ET), Zenit St. Petersburg confirmed the arrival of Colombia forward Jhon Durán on loan from Al Nassr, a deal that runs through the end of the 2025–26 season. The move marks the sixth club of his young career and his fifth change in three years, underscoring one of the most restless trajectories in top-flight football.
Deal at a glance
Durán, 22, remains contracted to Al Nassr and joins Zenit on what is effectively a long-term loan through the close of the 2025–26 campaign. It is the second temporary move of his Al Nassr tenure after spending the first half of this season in Turkey. The extension through next season offers the Russian champions rare continuity in a position where Durán has often been used as an impact option, while giving the player a longer runway to settle and contribute.
A nomad’s résumé before 23
Before turning 23, Durán has already crisscrossed leagues and continents: Envigado in Colombia, Chicago Fire in MLS, Aston Villa (avfc) in the Premier League, Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Fenerbahçe in Turkey, and now Zenit in Russia. His profile surged at Villa, where he earned a new deal in October 2024 running to 2030 after a blazing start to the 2024–25 campaign as a goal-scoring substitute. He struck six times despite making just one start early that season.
Three months after extending with Villa, he completed a high-fee transfer to Al Nassr. In Saudi Arabia, he was sent off in his fourth appearance yet still produced a healthy return, scoring eight goals in 13 league matches last season. Loaned to Fenerbahçe at the start of this season, he recorded five goals in 21 outings across competitions before the abrupt switch to Zenit.
Inside a swift Fenerbahçe exit
The speed of Durán’s departure from Istanbul surprised those around the team. After lifting the Turkish Super Cup on Jan. 10 (ET), there had been a firm expectation he would finish the campaign. Club figures had invested time and support in the forward, who had dealt with a bone inflammation issue that sidelined him for 55 days and limited him to 10 league appearances. Measures were put in place off the pitch to steady his acclimatization, and the second half of the season was viewed as a likely payoff period.
Instead, the winter window reoriented Durán’s course once more. The shift to Russia is striking not just for its pace but for the broader geopolitical backdrop, making his choice of destination an additional talking point in a career that rarely follows the expected path.
Flashpoints and potential from the Villa years
Durán’s stint in England offered a distilled snapshot of his extremes: explosive talent matched by volatility. At Villa, teammates and staff were often dazzled by his training-ground output and his knack for remarkable strikes. Yet the promise frequently collided with disciplinary friction. Episodes of lateness and disputes around fitness undermined trust and placed him close to internal lines on standards. He ultimately pushed for a move to the Gulf, prioritizing the chance to reset his role and remuneration.
That tension between upside and unpredictability has followed him. Still, when locked in, Durán brings a rare, high-energy blend of power, direct running, and penalty-box menace. He is at his most dangerous when he can attack the last line and arrive late into scoring zones, a profile that has repeatedly paid off when he’s been unleashed from the bench.
What Zenit gain — and the risks
Zenit add a forward who can change the rhythm of a match in an instant. A long loan horizon affords the coaching staff time to refine his pressing habits, improve link play, and build the trust required to start regularly. The flip side is that his track record points to the need for strong structure around him: consistent communication, clear expectations, and accountability on and off the field. If Zenit provide that framework and Durán buys in, the return could be significant across domestic and European stages aligned with their calendar.
For Al Nassr, the deal stretches the evaluation period while preserving a valuable asset. Should Durán thrive in St. Petersburg, his market standing could stabilize after a turbulent year of transitions. Should the pattern of short spells continue, the long loan still offers clarity for squad planning in the near term. Either way, this is a pivotal chapter for a player whose career has unfolded at high speed — and who now has time, at last, to slow down and make the most of it.
