Johan Manzambi
Agent, Salary, Contract, Club and Profile
Switzerland €60mm
Key Facts
Date of birth: 14.10.2005
Nationality: Switzerland
Current club: Aston Villa
Position: Central Midfielder / Attacking Midfielder
Height: 1.82m
Current market value: €60m
Represented by: THE·TEAM
Main agent: Ismaël Piller
Reported salary: £4.42m gross per year
Contract expires: 30.06.2031
About
Johan Manzambi is a Swiss central midfielder who plays for Aston Villa and the Switzerland national team. A dynamic and technically gifted midfielder, he is known for his progressive ball carrying, close control, physical intensity and ability to contribute in advanced attacking positions.
Manzambi joined Aston Villa from SC Freiburg in July 2026 after an outstanding 2025/26 campaign in Germany and a breakthrough FIFA World Cup with Switzerland. His performances established him as one of the most valuable young Swiss players and led Villa to invest approximately €60m in his transfer.
His pathway into senior football began with Servette in Geneva before he joined Freiburg’s academy in January 2023. Manzambi progressed through the U19 and reserve sides before breaking into the Bundesliga first team during the 2024/25 season.
At international level, Manzambi made his senior Switzerland debut in June 2025 and immediately established himself as an important emerging player. His reputation increased significantly at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he scored three goals as Switzerland reached the quarter-finals.
Representation
Agency: THE·TEAM
Main representative: Ismaël Piller
Previous agency: Gold Kick SA
Jurisdiction: Switzerland and international markets
Linked with Manzambi since: Approximately 2017
Joined THE·TEAM: 2026
Related agency page: THE·TEAM
Manzambi is represented by Ismaël Piller through THE·TEAM, the global sports representation company previously known as Wasserman.
Piller has worked with Manzambi for around nine years and has accompanied his progression from Swiss youth football through Freiburg, the Switzerland national team and ultimately the Premier League.
The pair were previously associated with Swiss agency Gold Kick SA. Piller left Gold Kick shortly before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Manzambi choosing to follow him to THE·TEAM.
One of their first major transactions within the new structure was Manzambi’s transfer from Freiburg to Aston Villa in July 2026.
Career timeline
Youth career: Developed through Servette FC’s academy
January 2023: Joined SC Freiburg from Servette
2023: Began playing for Freiburg U19
2023/24: Progressed into Freiburg’s U23 structure
Summer 2024: Promoted into Freiburg’s first-team squad
September 2024: Made his professional Bundesliga debut against Heidenheim
April 2025: Scored his first Bundesliga goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach
June 2025: Made his senior Switzerland debut
June 2025: Scored his first senior international goal
June 2025: Signed a new Freiburg contract
2025/26: Established himself as a regular Bundesliga midfielder
2025/26: Helped Freiburg reach the UEFA Europa League final
2025/26: Finished his Freiburg career with nine goals and eleven assists in 58 senior appearances
2026: Represented Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup
2026: Scored three goals during Switzerland’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals
Summer 2026: Followed Ismaël Piller from Gold Kick to THE·TEAM
July 2026: Joined Aston Villa
2026/27: Began his first Premier League season with Aston Villa
Transfer history
2023 – Servette to SC Freiburg U19 – Youth transfer
2023 – Freiburg U19 to Freiburg II – Promoted within the club
2024 – Freiburg II to SC Freiburg first team – Promoted to the senior squad
2025 – SC Freiburg contract extension – New long-term agreement
2026 – SC Freiburg to Aston Villa – Permanent transfer – Reported fee: approximately €60m – Contract until June 2031
Manzambi joined Freiburg at 17 and initially developed through the club’s academy and reserve structure before receiving his Bundesliga opportunity.
His progress accelerated dramatically during the 2025/26 campaign. Manzambi became an important part of Freiburg’s midfield and helped the club reach the Europa League final, where they were beaten by Aston Villa.
His performances for Switzerland at the 2026 World Cup further increased his profile, with several Premier League clubs showing interest.
Aston Villa ultimately secured his signature in July 2026 on a five-year contract. The transfer represented a major return for Freiburg on a player recruited from Servette’s academy only three and a half years earlier.
Playing profile
Manzambi is primarily a central midfielder but can also operate as an attacking midfielder, number eight or second striker. His combination of technical ability and athleticism allows him to contribute across several phases of the game.
One of his strongest qualities is progressive ball carrying. Manzambi is comfortable receiving under pressure before accelerating through midfield and moving his team into advanced areas.
His close control allows him to escape challenges in congested spaces, while his physical strength makes him difficult to knock off possession once he begins driving forward.
Manzambi also offers genuine attacking output from midfield. He can make late runs into the penalty area, combine with forwards and create shooting opportunities after progressing possession centrally.
Without the ball, he possesses the mobility and intensity required to press aggressively and recover into deeper midfield positions.
His versatility is particularly valuable. Manzambi can operate as part of a midfield two or three, move forward as an attacking number eight or play closer to the striker when greater attacking presence is required.
At only 20, his combination of Bundesliga, European, World Cup and Premier League experience gives him one of the strongest development profiles among young Swiss midfielders.
Key strengths
Progressive ball carrying
Close control
Press resistance
Physical strength
Acceleration through midfield
Positional versatility
Movement into attacking areas
Combination play
High pressing intensity
Goalscoring from midfield
Ball recovery
High long-term potential
