Donyell Malen Joins Roma: What Aston Villa Loanee Brings To The Giallorossi
Roma have signed Donyell Malen on an initial loan deal with option to buy.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 16 January 2026
Roma have completed the signing of Donyell Malen from Aston Villa, only a year after he joined the English club.
Speculation linking Roma and Malen intensified in recent days, culminating in a done deal at the halfway point of the January transfer window.
The Serie A side’s announcement says the deal is an initial loan with an option to buy the Netherlands striker.
Roma moved for Malen after it became apparent that Giacomo Raspadori wasn’t joining Roma.
FootItalia looks at how much the Giallorossi are paying for Malen, along with what he will bring to Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad.
How much Roma are paying for Donyell Malen
Roma will reportedly pay a loan fee of €2m to sign Donyell Malen from Aston Villa for the season.
If the Giallorossi choose to take up the option to buy Malen, he will apparently cost them around €25m.
The 26-year-old forward will earn €4m per season at the Stadio Olimpico, according to reports from Italy.
What Donyell Malen brings to Roma
Donyell Malen is a quick and mobile forward with a strong eye for goal and the versatility to drift across the front line.
He can strike cleanly from distance, uses his pace and energy to trouble defenders, and shows flashes of real technical quality.
Malen is also capable in the air, making him a threat from crosses and set pieces.
He has previously cited Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry as an inspiration for his style.
✍️ Donyell Malen è un nuovo calciatore giallorosso! 🐺
📄 https://t.co/pSKnxvPbTr#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/CnlBCCta8M
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) January 16, 2026
Malen will fill a gap in Roma’s current squad, namely as a right winger who can play on the left.
If necessary, he could also be deployed as a false nine. This is an option that Gasperini has used often this year, with Paulo Dybala.
Malen could make his Serie A debut on Sunday when Roma head to Torino.
Roma also signed Robinio Vaz earlier in January, so Gian Piero Gasperini now has two new forwards at his disposal.
Donyell Malen career so far
Donyell Malen has played for PSV Eindhoven, Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa so far in his career.
He has made 294 appearances and scored 104 goals in all competitions for these clubs.
Malen has also won 49 caps for the Netherlands, with 13 goals to his name, and played at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
In the latter, he played a key role in the Oranje’s round of 16 match against Romania, scoring a brace en route to a 3-0 win.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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