Aston Villa sign Senegal forward Jackson after Bayern title-winning season

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Senegal international Nicolas Jackson, adding the 25-year-old striker to an already ambitious attacking line and reuniting him with manager Unai Emery.

Jackson previously worked with Emery at Villarreal, where he enjoyed an impressive 2022-23 La Liga campaign. He scored 12 goals in 26 appearances that season, establishing himself as one of the division’s most promising forwards before moving to Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

The Senegalese striker gradually became an important figure in English football during his time with Chelsea. He scored 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions for the Blues, while also contributing to the club’s success on the European and international stages.

His honours with Chelsea included the Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals. He also helped the German club win both the Bundesliga and the German Cup, adding major domestic honours to his growing list of achievements.

His move to Aston Villa represents another significant stage in a career that has already taken him from La Liga to the Premier League and then to the Bundesliga. He has also represented Senegal at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.

The transfer has been warmly welcomed by Jackson’s representatives. Stanislas Denis, a representative of Epic Sports, highlighted the part played by the player’s agents in helping him reach this level.

Denis spoke to Maghreb-Foot about the move, while also emphasising Jackson’s qualities and the work that had gone into his development. The representative underlined the striker’s ability and the effort required to establish himself at the highest level.

Jackson now joins an Aston Villa side preparing for their second match of the English championship season. Their next fixture is against Arsenal, with the Birmingham club facing one of the strongest tests of the early campaign.

For Emery, the arrival provides another attacking option in a squad already built with high ambitions. The manager knows Jackson from their time together at Villarreal, where the forward produced the most productive season of his career to that point.

The match between Aston Villa and Arsenal has also attracted interest from the betting market. 1xBet lists Aston Villa at odds of 6.00 to win, while a draw is priced at 4.10 and an Arsenal victory at 1.49.

Jackson’s arrival gives Aston Villa a forward with experience in three of Europe’s major leagues, as well as international tournament experience with Senegal. His immediate challenge will be to settle into Emery’s plans and help the club build on its ambitions in the English championship.