Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1211 EAT on Saturday 29 August 2026

Aston Villa have signed Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth a club-record £65 million ($88 million).

Jackson signed a five-year contract with the Europa League holders on Friday, reuniting with Villa manager Unai Emery, who previously worked with the forward at Villarreal.

The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023 and made 81 appearances for the London club, scoring 30 goals.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery had already confirmed that 25-year-old Nicolas Jackson was set to join the club when he spoke to the media on Friday ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, arrives at Villa Park as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, whose reported £50 million ($68 million) move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal is being finalised.

The Senegal international had been training separately from Chelsea’s first-team squad after being told he was not part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans.

Jackson leaves Chelsea after scoring 30 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions since joining the club from Villarreal in 2023. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he helped Chelsea win the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

He was first frozen out by former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca last season before securing a loan move to Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals and helped the German giants win the Bundesliga and German Cup.

Jackson has also made 37 appearances for Senegal and was part of the country’s squads at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.

Watkins’ impending departure, which was also confirmed by Emery, would see the 30-year-old leave Villa Park after becoming the club’s leading Premier League goalscorer.

Watkins reportedly refused to play in Villa’s 4-0 defeat by Brighton last weekend as his move to Al Hilal nears completion.

His departure would follow those of Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne from Villa Park.

-Aljazeera

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