Donyell Malen
Dutch footballer (born 1999)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Donyell Malen (born 19 January 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Roma, on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa, and the Netherlands national team.
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Malen with Borussia Dortmund in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Donyell Malen[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 19 January 1999[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Wieringen, Netherlands | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[3] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position | Forward | ||||||||||||||||
| Team information | |||||||||||||||||
Current team |
Roma (on loan from Aston Villa) | ||||||||||||||||
| Number | 14 | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2015[4] | Ajax | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2017 | Arsenal | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Jong PSV | 22 | (13) | ||||||||||||||
| 2018–2021 | PSV Eindhoven | 81 | (40) | ||||||||||||||
| 2021–2025 | Borussia Dortmund | 94 | (30) | ||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Aston Villa | 35 | (7) | ||||||||||||||
| 2026– | → Roma (loan) | 14 | (11) | ||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Netherlands U15 | 5 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Netherlands U16 | 6 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Netherlands U17 | 10 | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | Netherlands U18 | 8 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Netherlands U19 | 10 | (10) | ||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Netherlands U21 | 8 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019– | Netherlands | 51 | (13) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:18, 25 April 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 31 March 2026 | |||||||||||||||||
Malen played youth football for Ajax and Arsenal before joining PSV Eindhoven in 2017, playing for their youth side Jong PSV before graduating to the senior team. He joined Borussia Dortmund in 2021, spending four years at the club before joining Aston Villa.
Malen has played at every youth international level for the Netherlands from under-15 to senior.
Club career
Early career
Malen began his career with Ajax in 2007. Despite a great deal of resistance coming from Ajax, in 2015 he left Ajax to join English club Arsenal. Malen joined up due to Arsenal being the side of his heroes Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.[4][5]
Arsenal
Malen began playing for the youth teams of Arsenal in the Youth Premier League together with the FA Youth Cup, and the UEFA Youth League in the 2015–16 season. He began to display his impressive talent during his debut season for the Gunners.[6] He scored in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final away to Coventry City which Arsenal won on penalties.[7] Coming off the bench, he scored against Manchester City in the semi-final of the 2016 FA Youth Cup at the Emirates Stadium.[8] and played 30 times during the season, scoring 14 goals.[6] During the 2016–17 season, Malen was used a great deal on the wing,[9] and was included in the club's 2017–18 pre-season tour of Australia and China.[10] He made his senior debut for Arsenal in a 2–0 win over Sydney on 13 July.[11][12]
PSV Eindhoven
Malen was sold by Arsenal to PSV Eindhoven in late August 2017.[13]
Malen went on to play as a winger for Jong PSV.[14] On 24 November Malen scored a brace in Jong PSV's 6–0 win over Telstar.[15] He scored again in PSV II's 3–0 win over FC Oss on 27 November.[16] Malen scored and picked up an assist in PSV II's 2–3 loss to Fortuna upon 4 December.[17]
He again scored in a 1–1 draw away to Go Ahead Eagles on 12 December.[18] Malen went on to be named in Voetbal International's Jupiler League team of the week a day later.[19]
Malen was awarded the Bronze Bull for being the Best Talent for the second period of the 2017–18 Jupiler League on 29 January 2018.[20][21] He went to make his debut for PSV in a 4–0 Eredivisie win over PEC Zwolle on 3 February.[22] Malen went on to win the 2018 Eredivisie title with PSV.[23] He also ended the 2017–18 season as Jong PSV's topscorer.[24]
On 14 September 2019, Malen scored all 5 goals for PSV as they thrashed Vitesse.[25] On 29 October 2020, he scored a brace in a 2–1 away win over AC Omonia in the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League.[26] Malen had his most productive campaign for PSV during the 2020–21 season, scoring 19 goals in 32 matches as his club finished second in the Eredivisie.[27] He added a further 8 goals across Europa League and KNVB Cup competition and he also registered 10 assists, displaying his characteristics as a multi-faceted forward.[27]
Borussia Dortmund
On 27 July 2021, Malen completed a move to Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, signing a five-year deal.[27] On 28 September 2021, he scored his first Champions League goal in a 1–0 victory over Sporting CP.[28] In the 2022–23 season, he scored nine league goals, finishing as his club's joint top scorer alongside Julian Brandt and Sébastien Haller.[29]
On 20 February 2024, he became the first Dutch footballer to score against a team from his country in the Champions League, since Arjen Robben in 2016, after doing so in a 1–1 draw against his former club PSV.[30] In the 2023–24 season, he set his personal best record in Bundesliga, becoming his club's top scorer in the league with 13 goals.[31] In the same season, he featured in the Champions League final as a substitute, where his club lost 2–0 to Real Madrid.[32]
Aston Villa
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On 13 January 2025, 25-year-old Malen signed for Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £21m plus addons.[33][34] He made his debut for Villa on 26 January 2025 as a 65th-minute substitute for Leon Bailey against West Ham.[35] On 2 April 2025, Malen scored his first Premier League goal in the 100th minute of a 3–0 away victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.[36]
After scoring four goals and registering one assist in November 2025, fans voted Malen as Aston Villa's player of the month.[37]
Roma
On 16 January 2026, Malen signed for Roma in an undisclosed deal.[38][39] It was reported that to be a loan with a fee of around €2m, with an obligation to buy for €25m at the end of the season.[40] Malen made his Roma debut on 18 January 2026 in an away game against Torino, where he also scored his first goal for the club. [41] He scored his first brace for the club against Cagliari on 9 February 2026[42], and repeated the feat six days later against Napoli.[43]
International career
Youth
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Born in the Netherlands, Malen is of Surinamese descent through his father.[44] He has represented the Netherlands at every age group from under-15 to senior level. He was a member of the Netherlands under-17 team that reached the semi-finals of the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship held in Azerbaijan.[45][46][47][48][49][50]
Senior
The 20-year-old Malen made his senior international debut for the Netherlands on 6 September 2019, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany in Hamburg. He came off the bench in the 58th minute and scored his team's third goal in a 4–2 victory.[51]
Malen was a member of the Netherlands squad for UEFA Euro 2020 and made his first tournament appearance as an 89th minute substitute in their Group B opener against Ukraine on 13 June 2021.[52] He made another appearance from the bench in the second match, assisting Denzel Dumfries' second goal as the Dutch beat Austria to ensure their progress to the knockout rounds.[53] He was selected to start in the team's final group match against North Macedonia and assisted Memphis Depay's opening goal of the 3–0 win.[54] Malen retained his place in the starting line-up for the round of 16 match with Czechia but was substituted after 57 minutes as the Netherlands were beaten 2–0 and eliminated from the tournament.[55]
Malen scored three goals during 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification but was omitted from the 26-man squad for the tournament finals in Qatar.[56]
In June 2023, Malen was part of the Netherlands' squad for the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals. He scored the opening goal of an eventual 4–2 loss to Croatia in the semi-final and also started the third place play-off loss to Italy, where he was substituted at half time for Steven Bergwijn.[57][58]
On 29 May 2024, Malen was named in the Netherlands' squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[59] In the round of 16 match against Romania, he scored a brace in a 3–0 victory, securing his country's qualification to the quarter-finals.[60]
Style of play
Malen combines dribbling skills and a natural instinct for goal scoring. He has been likened by ex-Ajax youth coach Brian Tevreden to Chilean forward Alexis Sánchez.[61]
Personal life
Born in Wieringen, Hollands Kroon, Malen is of Surinamese descent through his father.[44] Malen's mother separated from his father at a young age and he was later raised by his mother and grandparents. Malen's mother re-married when he was seven, and he then lived with his new step-father alongside his four new half-brothers and sisters.[62] Malen recognised his grandmother as the person who most encouraged him to become a footballer, teaching him how to kick a ball when he was three years old.[63] Nicknamed "Don" by his friends and family, Malen was a childhood friend of future Netherlands teammate Matthijs de Ligt.[62]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 25 April 2026[64]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Jong PSV | 2017–18 | Eerste Divisie | 22 | 13 | — | — | — | — | 22 | 13 | ||||
| PSV Eindhoven | 2017–18 | Eredivisie | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | Eredivisie | 31 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | 8[c] | 1 | 1[d] | 0 | 42 | 11 | ||
| 2019–20 | Eredivisie | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | — | 10[e] | 6 | 1[d] | 0 | 25 | 17 | ||
| 2020–21 | Eredivisie | 32 | 19 | 3 | 1 | — | 10[f] | 7 | — | 45 | 27 | |||
| Total | 81 | 40 | 5 | 1 | — | 28 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 116 | 55 | |||
| Borussia Dortmund | 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 27 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 8[g] | 4 | 1[h] | 0 | 38 | 9 | |
| 2022–23 | Bundesliga | 26 | 9 | 3 | 1 | — | 6[c] | 0 | — | 35 | 10 | |||
| 2023–24 | Bundesliga | 27 | 13 | 3 | 1 | — | 8[c] | 1 | — | 38 | 15 | |||
| 2024–25 | Bundesliga | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 5[c] | 2 | — | 21 | 5 | |||
| Total | 94 | 30 | 10 | 2 | — | 27 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 132 | 39 | |||
| Aston Villa | 2024–25 | Premier League | 14 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 17 | 3 | ||
| 2025–26 | Premier League | 21 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6[f] | 3 | — | 29 | 7 | ||
| Total | 35 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | — | 46 | 10 | |||
| Roma (loan) | 2025–26 | Serie A | 14 | 11 | — | — | 2[f] | 1 | — | 16 | 12 | |||
| Career total | 246 | 101 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 63 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 332 | 129 | ||
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
- Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and five goals in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Six appearances and three goals in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
- Appearance in DFL-Supercup
International
- As of match played 31 March 2026[65]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2019 | 4 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2025 | 8 | 4 | |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 51 | 13 | |
- Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Malen goal.[65]
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 September 2019 | Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany | 1 |  Germany | 3–2 | 4–2 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |
| 2 | 30 March 2021 | Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar | 8 |  Gibraltar | 5–0 | 7–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 7 September 2021 | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 15 |  Turkey | 6–0 | 6–1 | |
| 4 | 11 October 2021 | De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands | 16 | Gibraltar | 6–0 | 6–0 | |
| 5 | 14 June 2023 | De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands | 22 |  Croatia | 1–0 | 2–4 (a.e.t.) | 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals |
| 6 | 22 March 2024 | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 29 |  Scotland | 4–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
| 7 | 10 June 2024 | De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands | 32 |  Iceland | 3–0 | 4–0 | |
| 8 | 2 July 2024 | Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany | 35 |  Romania | 2–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2024 |
| 9 | 3–0 | ||||||
| 10 | 10 June 2025 | Euroborg, Groningen, Netherlands | 43 |  Malta | 5–0 | 8–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11 | 7–0 | ||||||
| 12 | 12 October 2025 | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 47 |  Finland | 1–0 | 4–0 | |
| 13 | 17 November 2025 | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 49 |  Lithuania | 4–0 | 4–0 |
