Aston Villa sign Swiss midfielder Manzambi for €59.5m record

Aston Villa have completed the club-record signing of Swiss international midfielder Johan Manzambi from SC Freiburg, the Premier League side announced on Friday, July 17, 2026. The 20-year-old joins for a reported fee of 59.5 million euros, surpassing the previous record Villa paid for Amadou Onana in 2024.

Manzambi arrives following a breakout season and a standout performance for Switzerland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He scored three goals and provided two assists as Switzerland reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, ranking among the tournament's top contributors. His club form was equally impressive, playing a crucial role in Freiburg's run to the UEFA Europa League final last season, where they were defeated 3-0 by Aston Villa. For his performances in that competition, Manzambi was named the tournament's Young Player of the Season.

In a statement following the transfer, Manzambi expressed his excitement to join Villa and work under manager Unai Emery, citing the club's stature and its upcoming participation in the UEFA Champions League as key factors in his decision. The move reportedly came after Villa successfully outmaneuvered interest from Newcastle...