Brian Madjo scores twice but Villa ban lasts until January
Brian Madjo scored twice as Aston Villa beat Walsall 5-0 in pre-season, but the 17-year-old striker remains barred from competitive football until at least January after FIFA blocked his registration under under-18 international transfer rules, leaving Unai Emery without his £10million Metz signing for senior fixtures. Villa have appealed to CAS while supporters digest a Lukaku-like prospect who still cannot make a senior debut.
Key Takeaways
- Brian Madjo netted twice in Villa's 5-0 friendly win over Walsall.
- FIFA cited Article 19 to reject his registration after a move from overseas before age 18.
- Villa have escalated an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
- He turns 18 on 12 January; coaches still rate his physicality and finishing highly.
- Former academy staff liken his profile to Romelu Lukaku, with added pace.
What happened when Brian Madjo faced Walsall?
Aston Villa opened pre-season with a comfortable 5-0 victory away at Walsall. Seventeen-year-old Brian Madjo started up front and stole the headlines before half-time with a brace.
His opener showcased raw strength: he held off a marker to meet Kosta Nedeljković's cross from the right and slammed a first-time finish. The second was more fortuitous—an Emiliano Buendía effort struck him in the head—yet he composed himself and smashed the rebound home.
Fellow youngsters George Hemmings, Luka Lynch and Aidan Borland also scored, while Buendía supplied two assists. The display was Villa fans' first proper look at the striker who joined from FC Metz in January for an estimated £10million, as detailed by talkSPORT.
Why can't Brian Madjo play for Villa until January?
Because Madjo was signed from an overseas club before turning 18, FIFA rejected Villa's registration bid. The governing body pointed to Article 19, which prohibits international transfers of players under 18.
The situation is especially frustrating because Madjo was born in England and has represented the country at Under-17 level. Villa have appealed FIFA's decision and taken the case to CAS, with a verdict still pending.
Fantasy Football Scout notes he currently will not be able to play competitively until January 2027, when he turns 18—unless the appeal succeeds and Unai Emery can integrate him sooner. Even if he must wait until his 18th birthday on 12 January, Racing Union academy director Delvin Skenderovic told talkSPORT the delay should not derail his trajectory.
Who is Brian Madjo and why the Lukaku comparison?
At 17, Madjo stands 193cm and already carries imposing physical strength. At Luxembourg club Racing Union's academy he rarely faced peers his own age; instead he played two age groups higher to stretch him physically and mentally.
Skenderovic said coaches also deployed him in midfield so he would feel pressure on his back and improve technique under duress. "I think he reminds me a lot of Romelu Lukaku," Skenderovic said, adding that Brian Madjo may be a little faster while sharing a similar hold-up and aerial profile.
For readers who follow aspirational lifestyle coverage beyond the pitch, BlasterPost also tracks premium living stories in our Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes hub. On the pitch, Madjo's immediate story is simpler: dazzling pre-season form, a blocked registration, and a waiting game that could last until midwinter.