Aston Villa have secured the signing of Johan Manzambi from Freiburg in a club-record deal. The midfielder’s move to Villa Park follows his breakout performance at the World Cup with Switzerland. Manzambi had been a target for Newcastle United, who had reportedly agreed a deal for the player, but Villa’s participation in the Champions League is said to have influenced his decision.
The total package for Manzambi is reported to be almost £59.5m, including add-ons. This transfer surpasses Villa’s previous club record, which was for Amadou Onana in 2024. Manzambi is the first signing for Villa this summer, with the Europa League holders also reportedly close to finalising a deal for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.
Manzambi’s arrival addresses Villa’s midfield needs, especially after the departure of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and Onana’s anticipated lengthy absence due to a serious knee injury sustained at the World Cup.
Manzambi’s path to Villa Park
Manzambi had verbally agreed personal terms with Newcastle but delayed his final decision until after Switzerland’s World Cup campaign concluded. The prospect of Champions League football was a key factor in his choice to join Villa.
The central midfielder had a significant season for Freiburg, contributing seven goals and nine assists in 47 games across all competitions. He was also named the Europa League Young Player of the Season for his role in helping Freiburg reach the final, where they were defeated by Aston Villa in Istanbul.
Manzambi’s performances at the World Cup were notable, where he scored three goals for Switzerland as they advanced to the quarter-finals. He scored twice against Bosnia-Herzegovina and also scored and assisted against Canada. However, he missed Switzerland’s quarter-final defeat to Argentina due to a minor injury.
Freiburg sporting director Jochen Saier commented on the transfer, stating that the journey Manzambi took with the club, from the U19s to the Europa League final, was special. Saier also mentioned that intensive discussions and negotiations led to a solution that benefits both parties, and wished Manzambi well for his future.
Career progression and international impact
Manzambi spent time in the academy of Swiss side Servette before joining Freiburg’s youth setup in 2023. He made his first-team debut for Freiburg in August 2024, making 11 Bundesliga appearances that season, contributing two goals and an assist.
The following season marked a breakout campaign for the Switzerland international midfielder, as he scored seven goals and provided eight assists, helping Freiburg finish seventh in the Bundesliga and reach the Europa League final. Although Freiburg missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification after their defeat in the final, Manzambi will now experience the competition with Unai Emery’s side in the 2026/27 season.
Manzambi made his senior international debut in the summer of 2025 and has since played 16 times for his country, scoring six goals in total. Switzerland topped Group B at the World Cup before being eliminated by Argentina in the quarter-finals.
The 20-year-old impressed at the World Cup, scoring three goals and providing two assists across four games in the tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Manzambi broke into Freiburg’s first team in the 2024-25 season and has made 58 appearances since. Last season, he registered five goals and five assists across 27 Bundesliga matches.
Manzambi was expected to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of his move.
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Source: skysports.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”