MLS has become a pit stop for young players
The latest player to make the switch to Europe’s top tier is Jhon Jader Durán, who signed with Premier League side Aston Villa.
Major League Soccer has gone from signing veteran players to becoming the pit top for young ones before signing with European teams. The latest transfer from MLS to Europe’s top tier is John Jader Durán who left the Chicago Fire to sign with Aston Villa during the winter transfer window.
Aston Villa announce Jader Durán agreement
The Premier League side confirmed the move for the 19-year-old striker on Monday and he is subject to passing a medical before signing his new contract. Durán decided to do all the medical examinations in Colombian and not in Birmingham, because he is on international duty with the under-20 Colombian national team.
Aston Villa had to pay $18 million to the Fire plus an extra $4 million on add ons to secure the 2022 MLS Young Player of the Year nominee. With the transfer window in full effect, MLS is seeing how their young talented players are being sent to Europe’s top tier.
Last year more than 20 players with an average age of 25-years-old were transferred to Europe such are the cases of Mamadou Fall (Villarreal), Ricardo Pepi (Augsburg), Marcos López (Feyenoord), Jesús Medina (CSKA Moscow), Matt Turner (Arsenal) and Valentín Castellanos (Girona).
Key MLS transfers to Europe
Alphonso Davies definitely put Major League Soccer on the map when FC Bayern Munich paid Vancouver Whitecaps a fee close to $10 million in 2019. The Canadian international made an immediate impact with the German giants and helped them win the treble during the 2020 season.
Another player that has made clubs around the world turn their eye to Major League Soccer is Miguel Almirón. Newcastle United paid Atlanta United a fee close to $24 million for the Paraguay international in 2019 after winning the MLS Cup the year before.
Now Jhon Jader Durán will have the opportunity to showcase his talent at Aston Villa following his participation with the the under-20 Colombian national team at the South American championship. Which means that the 19-year-old will not join the Premier League side immediately.