Manzambi becomes Aston Villa's most expensive signing ever
Transfer news: Aston Villa complete the signing of Johan Manzambi, Switzerland's World Cup breakout star, for around €70m from SC Freiburg, beating Newcastle to the deal.
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Johan Manzambi, Switzerland's breakout star at the 2026 World Cup, paying around €70 million to SC Freiburg. The 20-year-old midfielder, who has signed a five-year contract, becomes the club's most expensive signing in history.
The numbers behind a World Cup revelation
- Transfer fee: approximately €70 million (over £50 million)
- Contract length: five years
- Switzerland's 2026 World Cup record: 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 matches, before a knee injury cut his tournament short in the quarter-final
- Record: youngest player in over 60 years to record 5 direct goal contributions at a single World Cup
How Aston Villa beat Newcastle to the deal
With a deal seemingly done with Newcastle United, a viral moment sped things up: right after Switzerland's quarter-final exit, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez asked Manzambi live on camera whether he was indeed joining Aston Villa, to which the young Swiss midfielder said yes — before the transfer was even officially confirmed.
A major boost for a Champions League campaign
The club-record transfer comes as Aston Villa deal with the departure of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the long-term absence of Amadou Onana, who is recovering from a serious knee injury. Having qualified for next season's Champions League, the Birmingham club are banking on Manzambi's versatile profile and freshly-earned international experience to strengthen their midfield.
