Donyell Malen joined Roma from Aston Villa in 2026.
The Dutch forward moved from Aston Villa to Roma during the January 2026 transfer window. He made his Roma debut on 18 January against Torino and scored his first goal for the club in that match, quickly becoming an important attacking option in the Italian capital.
Malen’s route to Roma included a major spell at Borussia Dortmund after he left PSV Eindhoven. He later moved to Aston Villa, but his time in England was relatively short. Roma initially brought him in from Villa before completing a permanent purchase later in 2026.
The most common source of confusion is the difference between the January arrival and the later permanent transfer. Malen first joined Roma during the winter window, then Roma confirmed the full transfer in May, with a contract running until 30 June 2030. He is primarily a forward who has played both centrally and from wide positions.