Jhon Duran opts for Bahrain residency despite Al-Nassr move

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Jhon Duran has reportedly informed Al-Nassr that he prefers to live in Bahrain rather than Saudi Arabia, setting up a significant travel challenge for the club’s new £64.5 million signing from Aston.

The 21-year-old Colombian forward recently completed his high-profile transfer to Al-Nassr, where he will team up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané. However, despite the club being based in Riyadh, Duran has expressed a preference for residing in neighboring Bahrain, according to The Sun.

He wouldn’t be the first to make this move—Ste - ven Gerrard and Jordan Hen - derson also lived in Bahrain during their time with Al-Ettifaq.

However, their commute to training in Dammam was just an hour’s drive, while Duran’s journey to Koora Park training ground in Riyadh would require a 600 - mile round trip, potentially involving a 1 hour and 20-minute flight each way.

Reports suggest that Duran’s decision stems from uncertainty over whether he would be allowed to live with his girlfriend in Saudi Arabia due to the country’s strict laws on cohabitation outside of marriage. While some foreign players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, have been permitted to live with their partners, there is no official exemption for all players.