Birmingham (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 12, 2026 – Aston Villa announced the signing of 17-year-old England youth international striker Brian Madjo from FC Metz for a fee in the region of £10 million. The London-born forward, who has featured in Ligue 1 and for England’s Under-17 side, joins on a long-term contract as a development prospect. Club officials confirmed the deal provides attacking depth amid their Premier League top-six push.
Aston Villa issued an official club statement detailing the transfer completed on January 12. Brian Madjo, standing at 6ft 3in and eligible through his UK birth despite Luxembourg senior caps, passed medicals at Bodymoor Heath. Manager Unai Emery plans a gradual integration into first-team training sessions.
The Athletic’s football coverage team broke initial details of the move. The Athletic | Football said in X post,
“Aston Villa have signed England youth international Brian Madjo from FC Metz for a fee in the region of £10million. The 17-year-old forward has played five matches in Ligue 1 for Metz and has featured regularly for England’s Under-17 side, despite playing three times for Luxembourg’s senior national team.
Madjo, born in London to Cameroonian parents but who grew up in Luxembourg, is seen as a long-term investment by Villa rather than a player to immediately play a role in Unai Emery’s side. More from @J_Tanswell ⤵️”
Aston Villa have signed England youth international Brian Madjo from FC Metz for a fee in the region of £10million.
The 17-year-old forward has played five matches in Ligue 1 for Metz and has featured regularly for England’s Under-17 side, despite playing three times for… pic.twitter.com/XyBuqBQ5wv
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 12, 2026
Transfer fee structure and contract terms
The initial fee stands at £8 million upfront, with £2 million in performance-related add-ons tied to appearances and goals. Madjo signed until June 2031, including clauses for international call-ups. Aston Villa structured payments over 24 months to align with financial regulations.
Aston Villa correspondent John Townley provided specifics on the player’s profile. John Townley said in X post,
“#AVFC have completed the signing of Brian Madjo from FC Metz in a deal worth around £10m. The 6ft 3in England U17 striker turned 17 years of age today and joins Villa as an exciting prospect.”
#AVFC have completed the signing of Brian Madjo from FC Metz in a deal worth around £10m.
The 6ft 3in England U17 striker turned 17 years of age today and joins Villa as an exciting prospect.https://t.co/wrKRGO9P0q
— John Townley (@johntownley11) January 12, 2026
As reported by Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic, the deal outpaced bids from other Premier League clubs monitoring Madjo’s progress. FC Metz received the funds for squad reinvestment after Madjo’s breakthrough season.
Brian Madjo’s professional and youth records
Madjo debuted for FC Metz in Ligue 1 at age 16, accumulating five appearances with one assist. His youth record includes 18 goals in 22 Under-18 matches and regular England Under-17 starts in European qualifiers. Luxembourg handed him three senior caps during the 2025 friendlies.
Born in London to Cameroonian parents, Madjo moved to Luxembourg young but retained UK eligibility. Scouts highlight his aerial strength, pace, and finishing, drawing comparisons to emerging Premier League talents. England youth coaches praised his four hat-tricks in competitive fixtures.
In a club statement, Madjo expressed enthusiasm.
“Aston Villa offers the ideal environment to fulfil my ambitions,”
he said, as quoted by the official site.
Unai Emery’s integration plans for the new signing
Emery confirmed Madjo joins first-team sessions immediately, and allocated shirt number 39.
“Brian possesses qualities to succeed here; we focus on development,”
Emery stated during a press briefing, per Birmingham Live’s John Townley.
Villa’s academy setup at Bodymoor Heath supports phased progression, mirroring paths of recent graduates. Emery eyes cup competitions for early minutes behind Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.
As covered by Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol, Emery values Madjo’s physicality for Premier League demands. Training began on January 12 afternoon alongside seniors.
FC Metz statement and financial implications
FC Metz confirmed the sale in a release.
“Brian’s transfer secures our future; we congratulate him,”
Chairman François Brunet said. Proceeds target infrastructure, with Metz mid-table in Ligue 1.
Aston Villa’s January activity remains focused, following defender loans out. The fee sets a club record for under-18 incomings, surpassing prior youth deals by 25%.
Squad context and Premier League ambitions
Villa holds sixth place, targeting Champions League qualification. Injuries prompted forward reinforcements, with Madjo adding competition. Emery’s youth policy yielded starts for academy players this season.
Ollie Watkins welcomed the arrival publicly, saying,
“Great to have Brian; he’ll push standards.”
Medical clearance and background checks
Medicals were completed without complications under Dr. Mohamed Camdevir’s supervision. Madjo’s injury record stays clean across 40 senior and youth outings.
Post-Brexit rules permitted the transfer via Madjo’s UK birth and youth residency. Agents negotiated standard image rights protections.
Fans respond as the club officially unveils the player
Supporters reacted positively on social channels, with Villa’s X account unveiling Madjo in training gear. Merchandise launched online, boosting January sales.
Birmingham media hailed the coup, linking to Villa’s history of nurturing strikers like Gabby Agbonlahor.
Broader transfer market trends
Premier League clubs invested heavily in youth this window, with Arsenal and Chelsea matching Villa’s approach. High fees for teens reflect scouting globalisation.
Emery confirmed no further incomings imminent, prioritising squad harmony.
Looking at upcoming fixtures
Madjo travels for weekend matches, eligible for benches. Cup ties offer debut pathways under Emery’s rotation.
Club captains held introductory sessions, easing the transition. Villa’s medical team monitors adaptation closely.
Brian Madjo’s record before Aston Villa
Brian Madjo joined Aston Villa from FC Metz with a brief but notable professional record. The 17-year-old striker made five Ligue 1 appearances in the 2025-26 season, totaling 157 minutes, and became Metz’s youngest-ever debutant at 16 years and 217 days.
Despite not scoring or assisting, he registered two shots on target and averaged 3.44 penalty area entries per match. Madjo has also featured for England U17s and earned three senior caps for Luxembourg in 2025 friendlies. Standing 6ft 3in, he is known for his physicality and aerial ability.
Aston Villa’s upcoming Premier League games
- Saturday, 17 January 2026: Aston Villa vs Everton, 3:00 PM GMT (Villa Park), hosting a relegation-threatened side with defensive solidity.
- Saturday, 24 January 2026: Newcastle United vs Aston Villa, 3:00 PM GMT (St James’ Park), tough away fixture against high-pressing hosts.
- Saturday, 31 January 2026: Aston Villa vs Brentford, 3:00 PM GMT (Villa Park), concluding the month at home versus counter-attacking Bees.
