Football

Aston Villa Secure Club-Record Signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 29, 2026, 09:16 IST

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for a reported £65 million, with the forward reuniting with manager Unai Emery on a five-year contract.

Aston Villa Secure Club-Record Signing of Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea

Aston Villa have officially bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of Senegal international Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. The deal, which is reportedly worth a club-record £65 million, sees the 25-year-old forward commit to a five-year contract at Villa Park.

The transfer marks a reunion for the striker and Villa manager Unai Emery, who previously worked together during their time at Villarreal. Emery confirmed the impending arrival during a press conference on Friday ahead of the club's upcoming Premier League fixture against Arsenal.

A New Chapter Following Watkins Departure

Jackson arrives in the Midlands following a season-long loan spell at Bayern Munich. His move to Villa Park coincides with the departure of Ollie Watkins, whose £50 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal is currently being finalised. Watkins, the club's leading Premier League goalscorer, was notably absent from the squad during last weekend's 4-0 loss to Brighton, a decision reportedly linked to his impending exit.

The arrival of Jackson provides a significant boost to the squad as Emery oversees a period of transition. Watkins is set to join a list of departures from Villa Park that includes Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne.

Jackson's Chelsea Tenure and Future Outlook

The forward leaves Stamford Bridge after a spell that saw him net 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions since his arrival in 2023. During his time with the Blues, he contributed to the club's successes in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Jackson’s exit follows a period of uncertainty at Chelsea, where he had been training away from the main group after being informed he was not part of manager Xabi Alonso's plans. The striker had previously faced challenges regarding his first-team status under former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca during the previous campaign. With the move now confirmed, Jackson will look to re-establish his form under the guidance of a manager familiar with his playing style as Aston Villa prepare for the remainder of the season.