Vicario joins Juventus on season‑long loan, hails De Zerbi as a man of his word

Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario completed a season‑long loan move to Juventus on August 18, with the Turin club holding an option to make the transfer permanent for €10 million. The deal ends a turbulent spell at Tottenham, where Vicario fell out of favour after a hernia operation sidelined him for the start of Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure.

Vicario, who made 117 appearances for Spurs since arriving in 2023, confirmed the loan was finalized only after De Zerbi gave him the green light to pursue the move. “Fantastic, from the first day. I thank him, I did it personally the day I signed with Juventus,” he told Italia, describing the former Tottenham boss as “a real person, direct and above all a man of his word.”

The keeper’s lack of game time under De Zerbi was largely due to the March hernia surgery that kept him out of the early matches, allowing Czech goalkeeper Antonín Kinský to cement the starting spot. Tottenham subsequently offered Kinský a new contract after securing Premier League safety and facilitated Vicario’s departure.

Vicario’s comments also hinted at broader issues within the Spurs camp. “There have been some dynamics that have not aligned, probably for several reasons that make no sense to mention now,” he added, underscoring the complexity of his final season at the club.

Juventus will evaluate the keeper’s performances throughout the Serie A campaign before deciding on the €10 million purchase clause. The move gives the Bianconeri a seasoned international who helped Tottenham win the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou two years ago.

Spurs, meanwhile, continue to search for their first win of the 2025‑26 Premier League season after a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest and defeats to Brentford and Newcastle. The club’s summer exodus included 19 senior players, though striker Richarlison remains after the transfer window closed, despite being omitted from the 25‑man squad by De Zerbi.

Vicario’s loan highlights the shifting dynamics at both clubs: Juventus bolstering their goalkeeping options and Tottenham reshaping their roster under De Zerbi’s evolving project.