Donyell Malen reveals some surprising nicknames, learning from Thierry Henry at Arsenal and why he flourished at Roma after Aston Villa. ‘I could’ve been Serie A top scorer.’
The striker made an extraordinary impact following his January move from Aston Villa, scoring 15 goals in 20 competitive games for his new club, along with three assists.
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It was therefore inevitable that the Giallorossi would rush to activate the purchase option for a total €27m including the loan fee.
Amazing Malen start at Roma
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 18: Donyell Malen of AS Roma shoots during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on April 18, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“If I had arrived at the start of the season, I think I could’ve won the Capocannoniere crown in Serie A. However, you never know in football, I arrived in January and just tried to give my all for Roma,” Malen wrote in an essay for Cronache di Spogliatoio.
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“Sometimes my teammates call me D9, like R9 for Ronaldo, but only when I play well. If I play badly, they call me other things…”
Of his 15 goals, 14 were in just 18 Serie A appearances, making him easily Roma’s top scorer for the entire season.
Roma striker Donyell Malen depicted as a Dragon Ball Z character
Despite only having half the games, Malen scored just three fewer goals than eventual Capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez of Inter.
“If I have to explain my great start, I don’t think there’s any particular tactical secret. Football is made up of moments, for years I worked hard without stopping, so when the opportunity arose, I made sure I was ready.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Donyell Malen of AS Roma acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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The Dutchman started out in the Ajax youth academy, then moved on through Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Borussia Dortmund and eventually Aston Villa in January 2025.
“My teammates at Ajax used to call me Boer Malen, which means Farmer Malen. It was strange for them that someone could come from such a rural environment, but to be fair they were a bit strange to me too at first. I invited them to a party at my house, as I had a big garden, but many got lost along the way as it was so remote.
“It was therefore a very big change to come to London, an enormous city, a gigantic club like Arsenal, but that experience helped me so much, both as a player and a man. It made me grow up.
“I also had the good fortune to work with Thierry Henry, he showed me how to move, to finish, it was special getting advice from a legend like him.”
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While he struggled to make an impact at Aston Villa, the impact when coming to Roma was simply immediate.
“I felt something special when I landed in Rome. I love the fans, the city, the weather, the food, just experiencing the Roman atmosphere. My teammates joke that I spend so much time in the city centre.
“The moment I arrived at the airport, there were fans waiting and cheering my name. I immediately felt like one of the family, and I appreciated that very much.”
Now he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of a true Roma legend, one who might be coming back to the club as a director in future.
“When people ask who my favourite Italian player is, I immediately think of Francesco Totti. I watched Serie A because there were so many Dutch players here, but Totti was something special.”
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