Lloyd Kelly in Italy: Thiago Motta's move between Rugani and Danilo
In the cold winter of 2025, defensive midfielder Lloyd Kelly, 28, set foot in Italy for the first time, signing with Juventus a loan with an option to buy that becomes mandatory if the club falls to tenth place.
The decision of Thiago Motta and Cristiano Giuntoli
Coach Thiago Motta, together with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, opted for Kelly after the team suffered the loan departure of Rugani and the expulsion of Danilo, creating an abrupt defensive void.
The defender did not come from Newcastle, but the lack of options pushed Juventus to consider the transfer almost permanent, because “Juventus lower down does not suit us almost ever”.
After a year of ups and downs, Kelly managed to earn a role as first backup to Jhon Lucumi, securing important minutes in critical situations.
Kelly told his personal story: “It was my life, the distraction from a complicated childhood. It allowed me to look elsewhere compared to what was happening.”
The player added that he now loves football “like when I was 10, 11 or 12 years old” and that “at Juve we help each other and share experiences, time and emotions”.
With his 28th birthday just passed, Kelly hopes to help stabilise a defence in crisis and give continuity to the project of Motta and Giuntoli.