From Arsenal's youth academy to Roma's leading scorer

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Donyell Malen's career has been a whirlwind of high-stakes transfers and clinical finishing. After developing at Ajax and Arsenal, the Dutch forward has become a versatile threat, moving from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, and eventually securing a permanent home in Serie A.

Born in Wieringen in 1999, Malen's journey began in the youth systems of Ajax and Arsenal. His talent was evident early; during the 2015–16 season at Arsenal, he scored 14 goals in 30 appearances. His move to England was driven by his admiration for Dutch legends Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, despite resistance from his former club, Ajax. He initially joined the Gunners in 2015. During his time in London, he played in the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League.

After a successful stint at PSV Eindhoven, where he won the 2018 Eredivisie title and scored 19 goals in the 2020–21 season, Malen moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2021. In Germany, he demonstrated his versatility, scoring 13 league goals during the 2023–24 season and appearing in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. He was also awarded the Bronze Bull for being the best talent in the Jupiler League during 2018. His productivity at PSV included a five-goal performance against Vitesse.

His recent career has seen him navigate the Premier League with Aston Villa before a high-profile move to Italy. After a six-month loan, he signed permanently with Roma in May 2026. He became the club's top Serie A marksman with 13 goals throughout the 2025–26 season's latter half, aiding their Champions League qualification. His transition to Aston Villa occurred in early 2025 for an undisclosed fee. After his arrival, he was named the club's Player of the Month in November.

On the international stage, Malen has represented the Netherlands at every level from under-15 upwards. He has been a key figure in major tournaments, including Euro 2020, Euro 2024, and the 2026 World Cup, making his senior debut in 2019 against Germany. His senior debut occurred in a 2020 European Championship qualifier. He has also participated in the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals.

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