Juventus have confirmed the permanent signing of Weston McKennie from Schalke, after initially joining the Serie A champions on a loan deal with an obligation to buy. The player has arguably been Juventus’ best midfielder this season, and has consistently performed well for Andrea Pirlo’s team to get them where they are at this stage of the season.
The Bianconeri will pay €18.5 million to Schalke for the player, and this value could rise by more than €6.5 million if certain achievements are met by McKennie. The player’s new contract in Turin is expected to run through the 2024-25 season.
McKennie has been praised by many for his intensity on the pitch and his runs into the box that have resulted in the American being the scorer of some very important goals in the club’s ongoing season. He has now managed to establish himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, and given that he is only 22, is looking like another unbelievable deal made by the Italian giants.
McKennie has already enjoyed silverware with Juventus, winning the Italian Super Cup against Napoli in January. He is also the first American to ever play for Juventus, and could even be one of the best Americans to ever play in Europe by the time his spell with Juventus comes to an end.
McKennie stats compared to other Juve midfielders this season in Serie A only:
— Max Statman (@emaxstatman) March 3, 2021
→ 4 Goals (1st)
→ 2 Assists (3rd)
→ 23 Key passes (2nd)
→ 5 Big chances created (2nd)
→ 0.8 Tackles won/match (3rd)
→ 22 Clearances (2nd)
→ 11 Shots on targets (=1st)
Here's here to stay. pic.twitter.com/QfSlDJkkKm
“Weston McKennie’s adventure with the Juventus shirt started very well and, as they say, the numbers don’t lie,” Juve said in announcing the deal.
“Wes has proven to be a very important resource for coach [Andrea] Pirlo, having already put his signature on important performances and goals. It’s impossible not to think about his goal against Barcelona at Camp Nou, or the one in the Derby della Mole – his first in the black and white jersey.
“It’s also important to note that he is also the youngest midfielder in this league with at least four goals, as well as the best American scorer in Serie A history. In six of the goals he has actively participated in (four goals and two assists), Juventus have always won.
“It’s because of this, that as of today, he has become an outright Juventus player, with the club having made the move permanent from Schalke.”
