Aston Villa confirm Nicolas Jackson signing as Chelsea striker agrees deal until 2031

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a move that could become the most expensive transfer in the club’s history.

The 25-year-old has agreed a contract running until mid-2031 after completing his move to Birmingham. Aston Villa are understood to have paid €55m for Jackson, with a further €20m potentially due in bonuses.

If all of those clauses are triggered, the total cost of the transfer would reach €75m and Jackson would become Aston Villa’s record signing. That would move him above Johan Manzambi, who joined the club from SC Freiburg this summer for €60m.

Jackson’s arrival had effectively been announced before Aston Villa made the transfer official. Manager Unai Emery confirmed the move during his news conference on Friday, ahead of the club’s formal announcement.

The Senegal international is expected to take the place of Ollie Watkins, who is currently undergoing a medical at Al-Hilal. Watkins’ departure would leave Jackson as the latest attacking addition to Emery’s squad, although the original announcement did not specify how the manager plans to use him.

The transfer also reunites Jackson with Emery, having previously worked with the Aston Villa manager at Villarreal. During their time together at the Spanish club, Jackson scored 13 goals.

That previous relationship was an important part of the background to his move to Aston Villa, with the forward now returning to a manager who already knows him from their spell together at Villarreal. Jackson’s time at the club came before his move to Chelsea and subsequent loan spell at Bayern Munich.

Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich before returning to Chelsea. His transfer to Aston Villa now gives him a long-term agreement at the Birmingham club, with the contract extending to the middle of 2031.

The initial fee of €55m places the deal among Aston Villa’s most significant transfers, while the possible €20m in additional payments creates the prospect of a new club record. The current benchmark is held by Manzambi, whose €60m move from SC Freiburg took place earlier this summer.

Aston Villa have therefore secured Jackson on terms that could alter the club’s transfer record, while Chelsea lose the Senegal forward after his loan spell with Bayern Munich. The move also brings together again Jackson and Emery, who worked alongside one another during the striker’s 13-goal spell at Villarreal.