Jhon Durán Joins Benfica on €6.1m Loan as 7th Club of Career

Jhon Durán has completed a loan move to Benfica from Al Nassr for an initial fee of €6.1 million.

Jhon Durán has officially joined Benfica on loan from Al Nassr for an initial fee of €6.1 million ($6.9m). The agreement for the 22-year-old Colombian international includes a future purchase option set at €30 million ($34.2m). This transfer marks the seventh club of the striker's professional career, which began at Envigado in 2019. Durán arrives at the Estádio da Luz to play under manager Marco Silva as the team pursues the Portuguese Primeira Liga title following a third-place finish last season.

Despite finishing third in the previous campaign while Porto secured the league trophy, Benfica went unbeaten under former head coach José Mourinho. Mourinho has since departed to lead Real Madrid, while Al Nassr—Durán's parent club—recently appointed Ange Postecoglou as head coach. Durán expressed his ambitions in a statement on the club's website, describing Benfica as the biggest club in Portugal and stating his desire to be crowned champion while repaying the support shown by fans through their messages.

Career Path and Previous Transfers

Durán’s journey to Lisbon follows a series of rapid moves across global leagues. After his tenure at Envigado, he moved to MLS side Chicago Fire in 2022, a club that recently signed Robert Lewandowski. In 2023, the forward transitioned to the English Premier League with Aston Villa. During his time in Birmingham, he achieved cult hero status, most notably scoring the winning goal in a 2024 Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich.

In January 2025, the striker moved to the Saudi Pro League to join Al Nassr, where he shared the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo. His stay in Saudi Arabia was brief; six months later, he transferred to the Turkish Süper Lig to play for Fenerbahce. At the time of his arrival in Turkey, the team was managed by José Mourinho, though the Portuguese manager was dismissed less than thirty days after Durán's arrival.

Recent Loan Spells and League Experience

The move to Portugal follows a short stint in the Russian Premier League. In February 2026, Durán signed with Zenit Saint Petersburg on loan after his previous temporary arrangement with Fenerbahce was cancelled. By joining the Primeira Liga, the Colombian has now competed in six distinct top-flight divisions: the English Premier League, MLS, Saudi Pro League, Turkish Süper Lig, Russian Premier League, and now the Portuguese top tier.

Benfica's current roster changes coincide with other significant market activity, including João Gomes joining Aston Villa from Wolverhampton Wanderers to bolster their midfield. Durán, who intends to contribute everything he has to his new squad, noted that he has high expectations for this chapter of his career. He emphasized a commitment to hard work and a desire for mutual growth between himself and the club.

Tactical Outlook at Estádio da Luz

Marco Silva takes charge of a squad that remained undefeated throughout the previous domestic season despite failing to secure the championship. Durán's arrival provides a new attacking option for a side looking to overtake Porto at the top of the table. The striker mentioned his gratitude for being at the club and his intention to work hard to help the team achieve its goals.

As the journeyman forward settles into his seventh professional environment at just 22 years of age, the focus remains on whether he can find stability in Lisbon. His career has seen him move from Colombia to the United States, England, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Russia before this latest arrival in Portugal. He remains a Colombian international with experience playing alongside some of the sport's most prominent figures, including Ronaldo at Al Nassr.