Aston Villa sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson for reported club record

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal reported to be worth up to £65 million, setting a new club record for the Premier League side. Jackson, 25, arrives at Villa Park as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, whose move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal is nearing finalization. The acquisition comes after Villa manager Unai Emery confirmed in a press conference on Friday that Jackson was set to join, revealing the deal had been agreed during Arsenal’s Premier League match on Monday.

Jackson has signed a five-year contract with Aston Villa, reuniting him with Emery after their successful collaboration at Villarreal. The move follows Jackson’s departure from Chelsea, where he made 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 30 goals and helping the club win the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. His time at Stamford Bridge was marked by periods of exclusion, including under former manager Enzo Maresca, before he spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich. There, he contributed 11 goals as Bayern secured both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.

The Senegal international arrives at Villa Park as the club’s new attacking option, following the impending exit of Ollie Watkins. The 30-year-old English striker, who is Villa’s top Premier League goalscorer, is set to join Al Hilal for a fee reported to be around £50 million. Watkins’ departure means he will become the fifth high-profile player to leave Aston Villa this summer, following Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne.

Jackson brings international experience, having represented Senegal 37 times and featured in their squads for the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups. His arrival adds depth to Villa’s attacking options as they prepare for the new Premier League season under Emery’s leadership.

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