CAS clears Aston Villa to register 17-year-old Brian Madjo
On 4 August 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Aston Villa’s appeal to register 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo for the 2026–27 season, overturning FIFA’s prior block; Madjo, signed from Metz in January, has scored four goals in pre-season, including two against Walsall.
Madjo was born in Enfield, London and is a UK citizen who grew up in Luxembourg; he played three times for Luxembourg last year before joining England's Under-17 team. He developed at Marisca Mersch and Racing Union in Luxembourg before moving to French club FC Metz. Aston Villa signed the six-foot-four forward in January for £10 million (€12 million) on a five-and-a-half-year contract. FIFA initially prohibited his registration because its rules restrict international transfers of players under 18 and cited his Luxembourg nationality, prompting Villa — the UEFA Europa League champions — to appeal.
At Metz, Madjo scored 13 goals in 26 games for the club’s U19 side at the age of 15, which led to his promotion to the senior squad and a Ligue 1 debut at 16. Those performances accelerated his progression into senior football and attracted Villa’s January move.
Standing 6'4", Madjo is described as a muscular, conventional target-man who also offers close control, link-up play and distribution. Observers have drawn tactical parallels between his attributes and those of young Romelu Lukaku and Didier Drogba.
On 4 August 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Aston Villa’s appeal, saying that his British birth and UK citizenship rendered him instantly eligible to play competitive matches for the 2026–27 season. The ruling means Villa may now register Madjo for official tournaments, and manager Unai Emery has already seen him net four goals in the 2026 pre-season campaign, including a brace in the friendly with Walsall.
As a result of the CAS decision, Aston Villa can proceed to register Brian Madjo and he is eligible to appear in competitive matches for the 2026–27 season.