Freiburg confirm Johan Manzambi move to Aston Villa

SC Freiburg have officially confirmed that midfielder Johan Manzambi is leaving the club to join Aston Villa, giving the Swiss international a major next step in his career.

The Europa League winners and Champions League participants from Birmingham secure a highly rated young talent who has developed rapidly in the Bundesliga.

Manzambi arrived in Freiburg from Servette Geneva in January 2023 and worked his way up through the U19 and U23 sides before breaking into the first team.

Since his Bundesliga debut in September 2024, the 20-year-old has made 58 competitive appearances for the Breisgau club, scoring nine goals and providing eleven assists. In June 2025 he debuted for the Swiss senior national team and went on to score three goals at the 2026 World Cup, further boosting his reputation.

“Going together from the U19s to the Europa League final was something special for both Johan and us,” said Freiburg board member Jochen Saier, praising his “exceptional” performances and influence on the team’s style of play. The transfer is also a landmark deal for Freiburg, with the total package reportedly close to 70 million euros, smashing their previous outgoing records such as the fees for Kevin Schade and Merlin Rohl.