Aston Villa have completed the signing of Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea for a reported club-record fee of £65 million (approximately $88 million).
Jackson has agreed a five-year contract with the Europa League holders, finalizing the deal on Friday. He reunites with head coach Unai Emery, who previously coached him at Villarreal.
Ahead of Monday's match against Arsenal, Emery confirmed in a press conference that the 25-year-old forward would be joining the club.
Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, arrives at Villa Park as the replacement for Ollie Watkins. Watkins' transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal for £50 million (around $68 million) is nearing completion.
Prior to the move, Jackson had been training separately with Chelsea's youth team after being informed he was not part of head coach Xabi Alonso's plans.
He leaves Chelsea having scored 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions since joining in 2023, helping the club win the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup.
Jackson began to fall out of the first-team picture under Enzo Maresca last season. During his loan spell at Bayern Munich, he scored 11 goals and won the Bundesliga and the German Cup. Jackson has also earned 37 caps for Senegal and played at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
Watkins' imminent departure, also confirmed by Emery, means he will follow Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne out of Villa Park.
The 30-year-old striker, the club's top scorer in the Premier League, reportedly refused to play in last weekend's 4-0 defeat to Brighton before his move to Saudi Arabia.
