Juventus have finalised an agreement to sign English defender Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle United. The Bianconeri, who had already welcomed Renato Veiga on a dry loan from Chelsea this transfer window, were in need of additional defensive reinforcement due to injuries to Bremer and Cabal, and more recently, Kalulu.
The Lloyd Kelly Profile
After exploring various options, including renewed interest in Todibo following summer contacts, and considering Hancko from Feyenoord and Skriniar (who moved from PSG to Fenerbahce), Juventus has landed on Kelly. The 26-year-old defender, who had previously been linked with moves to Italy, including Juventus and Milan, will now join the Turin club.
Deal Structure
Kelly will arrive at Juventus on a loan with an obligation to buy. The Bianconeri will pay €18 million for the transfer, with Newcastle retaining a percentage of any future sale.
Kelly’s 2024/25 Season So Far
This season, Kelly has made 14 appearances across all competitions, providing one assist. Ten of these appearances came in the Premier League, with the remaining four split between the League Cup and FA Cup.
Kelly’s Role at Juventus
Moving from one black and white shirt to another, Kelly will have to compete for his place in Juventus’ defense. With Kalulu sidelined for a month, Kelly’s immediate competition will be Veiga and Gatti. He’s likely to see significant playing time until March, given the club’s commitments across various competitions. However, once the French defender returns, Kelly’s role will depend on how Thiago Motta’s defensive hierarchy develops.
