In a rainy night in Turkey on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Jadon Sancho etched his name into English football folklore. By scoring the winning goal in Aston Villa’s 1–0 victory over Fenerbahçe, Sancho became only the second English player in history to score in major European competitions for four different clubs.
The 25-year-old winger joins the legendary Peter Crouch as the only other Englishman to achieve this rare feat of continental versatility.
The Exclusive "Four-Club" List
Sancho’s journey across Europe’s biggest stages has been a nomadic success story. His 25th-minute header past former Manchester City keeper Ederson completed a set of European goals for four distinct teams:
Player,Clubs Scored For (Major European Comp.)
Jadon Sancho,"Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa"
Peter Crouch,"Liverpool, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City"
The Milestone Goal: Sancho’s strike in Istanbul wasn't just historic—it was vital. The win secured Aston Villa’s place in the Europa League Round of 16, allowing Unai Emery’s side to bypass the playoff round.
Consistency is King: Sancho is also one of only three Englishmen—alongside Harry Kane and Phil Foden—to have scored in a major European competition in every single season since 2018/19.
A Career Reborn under Unai Emery
Since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United in September 2025, Sancho has looked like a player transformed. After a mixed spell at Chelsea (where he won the 2025 Conference League), the winger credits Unai Emery’s faith for his return to form.
Jadon Sancho (Post-Match): "I'm just happy to get my first goal for Aston Villa and to top it off with a win that sends us through. It's nice to have a manager that backs you and believes in you. I know I can do a lot more, but this is a great start."
The Verdict: While the debate over his permanent future at Manchester United rumbles on, Sancho is doing his talking on the pitch. With Villa now safely in the Last 16, he has the perfect platform to make 2026 his most successful European campaign yet.