Aston Villa sign Switzerland sensation Johan Manzambi from Freiburg after impressing at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Updated 17/07/2026 at 19:05 GMT+1
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Aston Villa have signed Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi, the club announced on Friday. The midfielder impressed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Switzerland, scoring three goals and registering two assists.
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According to reports, Villa hijacked Newcastle United's pursuit of the 20-year-old - with Unai Emery's side preparing for a return to the UEFA Champions League next season.
"I'm very excited to be here and to be training with Unai Emery and the team," Manzambi said following his transfer, per The Athletic. "I am very, very happy, and I am excited to play with this club.
"It's a very big club in England and they’re playing in the Champions League. I’ve already played against Aston Villa, and for me, it was the perfect plan."
According to Sky in Germany, Villa will pay a total of £59.5m with add-ons included for Manzambi, which would be a club-record transfer fee, surpassing the £50m Villa paid Everton for Amadou Onana in 2024.
Manzambi came through the academy at Servette before moving to Freiburg in 2023 and making his full debut a year later.
After establishing himself as a regular in their side, he played a crucial role in Freiburg's run to the UEFA Europa League final last season, including scoring in the semi-final.
In that final, Freiburg took on Villa, with Manzambi playing the full match in a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Premier League side.
Manzambi was named the competition's young player of the season for his performances.
Last season, Manzambi played 47 times for Freiburg in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
The central midfielder, who can also play further forward, helped his national team reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, the first time Switzerland have made the final eight since they hosted the tournament in 1954.
Coming off the back of a breakout season for Bundesliga regulars Freiburg, where he netted seven goals and provided nine assists in all competitions, the Geneva-born youngster turned heads when he netted twice in a 20-minute cameo against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He then added a goal and an assist in a 2-1 victory over Canada, before providing another assist in Switzerland's last-32 victory over Algeria.
Manzambi did not take part in his nation's last-16 win over Colombia - or the defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals - due to a knee injury suffered in training.
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The club announced that Manzambi - Villa's first signing of the summer transfer window - would wear the No. 44 shirt, with the previous owner of the number, Boubacar Kamara, moving to No. 8 following Youri Tielemans' move to Manchester United earlier this week.
Freiburg sporting director Jochen Saier expressed his best wishes to Manzambi following his departure.
"The journey we took together from the U19s to the Europa League final was special for both Johan and us," Saier said.
"Following some really intensive discussions and negotiations over the past few weeks, both sides stand to benefit from the solution we have reached.
"Johan's performances in the SC shirt were exceptional; he helped shape our style of play.
"We would like to thank everyone who supported and stood by Johan during his three-and-a-half years in Freiburg, and we wish him all the very best for the future from the bottom of our hearts."
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