Aston Villa's Netherlands international forward Donyell Malen joins Roma on-loan..

2026-01-18 07:22

Roma announced on their official website on Saturday that Netherlands international forward Donyell Malen has joined Aston Villa on-loan.

According to Roma's official statement, Malen will play for the club-on loan until the end of the season, with a conditional buy-out clause included in the loan agreement. He will also wear the number 14 jersey previously worn by Uzbek international striker Eldor Shomurodov who have currently left the club on-loan.

Furthermore, according to a follow-up report from Sky Sports' resident renowned Italian transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, whether Malen's conditional buy-out clause can be triggered is based on whether I Giallorossi qualify for European competitions next season.

If the Serie A giants qualify for the Champions League/Europa League/Conference League next season, Malen's €25 million buy-out clause will be automatically triggered. Roma will also pay the Villans a €2 million loan-fee during his loan spell.

About Donyell Malen

Malen, 26, was born in Wieringen, the Netherlands on January 19, 1999. He is 1.76 meters tall and primarily plays as a right winger. He can also play as a left winger or center forward. He has dual nationalities of the Netherlands and Suriname.

Malen played in the Ajax youth academy when he was a child and moved to the Arsenal youth academy in 2015.

During his time with the Gunners' youth team, Malen has always been one of the club's most promising wonderkids.

On the 2017 summer transfer window deadline day, Malen joined PSV Eindhoven for £50,000 and completed his PSV Eindhoven first-team debut in February of the following year.

During his three-year spell with the Lampen, Malen won the Eredivisie title once with the club.

In July 2021, Malen joined Borussia Dortmund for €30 million.

During his three-and-a-half-year spell at BVB, Malen reached the UEFA Champions League final once with the club.

On January 25, 2025, Malen joined Aston Villa for £21 million.

Since becoming a Villans, Malen has made 46 appearances for the Premier League club in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 2 assists.