Aston Villa Signs Nicolas Jackson for Club-Record £65 Million

Aston Villa signed Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on Friday in a deal worth a reported club-record £65 million ($87 million). Jackson, 25, has agreed to a five-year contract with the Europa League holders and reunites with manager Unai Emery, with whom he previously worked at Villarreal.

Emery had indicated Jackson's signing during a press conference on Friday ahead of Monday’s match against Arsenal. Jackson arrives at Villa Park as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, who is finalizing a £50 million move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

Jackson spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich and had been training separately from Chelsea's squad after being informed he was not in the plans of Chelsea's current boss Xabi Alonso. During his time at Chelsea, Jackson scored 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions, contributing to the club's victories in the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup.

Watkins' departure follows that of Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne from Villa Park.