Aston Villa sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson for reported club record

Jackson arrives at Villa Park as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, whose move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal is being finalised.Published On 29 Aug 202629 Aug 2026Aston Villa have signed Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal worth a reported club-record 65 million pound ($87m).Jackson agreed a five-year deal with the Europa League holders on Friday and is reunited with Villa manager Unai Emery after the pair worked together at Villarreal.Emery had revealed the 25-year-old was set to sign when he spoke to the media in a news conference on Friday to preview Monday’s game against Arsenal.Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, arrives at Villa Park as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, whose 50 million pound ($68m) move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal is being finalised.Jackson had been training separately from Chelsea’s squad having been told he was not in the plans of Blues boss Xabi Alonso.He leaves Chelsea having scored 30 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2023, helping the club win the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup.Jackson was first frozen out by former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca last season....