Aston Villa sign Nicolas Jackson in £65m deal from Chelsea

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Aston Villa have completed the permanent signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with Unai Emery reuniting with his former Villarreal forward as the club strengthens its attack following key departures.

British media reported that Villa agreed a deal worth an initial £47.5 million ($64.3 million), with a further £17.5 million in performance-related add-ons, taking the potential fee to £65 million.

In confirming the move on Friday, Villa said the 37-cap Senegal international had joined on a permanent transfer after representing his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jackson is no stranger to Emery's methods, having flourished under the Villa boss during their time together at Villarreal. The striker scored 12 goals in 26 LaLiga appearances during the 2022-23 campaign before earning a move to Chelsea.

The 25-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2023 and went on to score 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions. He helped the London club lift the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, although his spell was often marked by scrutiny over his inconsistent finishing.

Last season, Jackson spent time on loan at Bayern Munich, where he scored 11 goals and played a key role in the club's Bundesliga and German Cup triumphs.

On the international stage, Jackson has earned 37 caps for Senegal and featured in the country's squads for both the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, adding further experience to Villa's attacking options ahead of the new season.
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