Aston Villa announced the acquisition of Dutch international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, fortifying their attacking lineup with a player of proven calibre.
The 25-year-old forward transferred to the Premier League club for a reported €23 million (£19 million, $24 million) fee, accompanied by an additional €3 million in potential add-ons.
"Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Dutch international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund," the club declared in an official statement.
Malen, who scored 39 goals in 132 matches for Dortmund since his arrival in 2021, played a crucial role in propelling the German side to last season's UEFA Champions League final. He also made his mark on the international stage with nine goals in 41 appearances for the Netherlands. The forward was a part of the Dutch squad that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2024.
Unai Emery, Aston Villa's manager, looked to Malen as a pivotal addition to boost the team's aspirations for a consecutive UEFA Champions League qualification. Currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table, Villa trailed the top four by a mere four points.
Villa’s Champions League campaign also showed promise, with the team positioned fifth in the group stage standings with two matches left.
The arrival of Malen might prompt a shift in Villa’s transfer strategy concerning Colombian forward Jhon Duran. Despite limited first-team opportunities, Duran scored 12 goals this season, often playing a supporting role to England striker Ollie Watkins.
Reports suggested that injury-stricken clubs such as West Ham and Chelsea had expressed interest in Duran before the transfer window's closure.
