AS Roma has confirmed the permanent transfer of striker Donyell Malen from Aston Villa. This move was an obligatory purchase following Roma’s successful qualification for European competition at the close of the 2025-26 season.
Malen’s Move to Roma is Now Permanent
The Netherlands international initially joined Roma on loan during the January transfer window, with an option to buy from Aston Villa. Recent reports indicated that this purchase option would automatically become an obligation if Roma secured a spot in the Europa League for the upcoming season.
Roma’s participation in the Europa League was guaranteed after Inter Milan’s victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final earlier this month. However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team achieved an even greater success in the final week of the 2025-26 season, securing a top-four finish that earns them a return to the Champions League in 2026-27.
This achievement has triggered Roma’s obligation to buy Malen, a fact the club has now officially confirmed on their website.
The club’s confirmation on Tuesday stated: “AS Roma can confirm that the club has completed the signing of Donyell Malen on a permanent deal. His contract runs until 30 June 2030.” It added, “The Dutch forward has made 20 appearances and scored 15 goals since joining in the January transfer window. Congrats, Donyell!”
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Malen has signed a four-year contract with Roma, which will keep him at the Stadio Olimpico until the summer of 2030. The obligatory purchase fee for Malen is understood to be €25 million.
Malen’s arrival significantly impacted Roma’s season, contributing an impressive 14 goals and two assists in 18 appearances in the Italian top flight during the latter half of the campaign.
English Translation:
Official: Malen Completes Permanent €25m Transfer from Aston Villa to Roma
AS Roma has officially announced the permanent acquisition of centre-forward Donyell Malen from Aston Villa. This transfer was an obligation triggered by the Giallorossi’s qualification for European competition at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Official: Malen is Now a Roma Player on a Permanent Basis
The Netherlands international joined Roma on loan with an option to buy from Aston Villa during the January transfer window. Recent reports confirmed that the option to buy clause would become an obligation in the event that Roma qualified for the following season’s Europa League.
Roma guaranteed their place in the Europa League at a minimum following Inter’s victory against Lazio in the Coppa Italia final earlier this month. However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side went a step further in the final week of the 2025-26 season, securing a top-four spot which means they will return to the Champions League in 2026-27.
This means Roma triggered their obligation to buy Malen, which the club has since confirmed in a statement on their website.
“AS Roma can confirm that the club has completed the signing of Donyell Malen on a permanent deal. His contract runs until 30 June 2030,” read Tuesday’s confirmation. “The Dutch forward has made 20 appearances and scored 15 goals since joining in the January transfer window. Congrats, Donyell!”
According to updates from Gianluca Di Marzio, Malen has signed a four-year deal at the Stadio Olimpico, tying him to Roma until the summer of 2030. Roma’s obligation to buy fee is understood to have been worth €25m.
Malen’s impact was transformational on Roma’s season, with a whopping 14 goals and two assists from 18 appearances in the Italian top flight during the second half of the campaign.
