Schalke’s midfielder impressed during loan spell with Andrea Pirlo’s side as the Bianconeri have now activated an option to sign him
Juventus have confirmed they have reached a deal to sign Weston McKennie permanently from Schalke.
The USMNT midfielder had been loaned to Andrea Pirlo’s side, although he impressed enough to convince the Serie A giants to make the transfer permanent, for an initial $ 18.5million euros (£ 16million / $ 22million).
McKennie made 31 appearances in all competitions for Juve during the 2020-21 season, scoring five goals.
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How much did Juventus pay?
The Serie A champions have confirmed they have signed McKennie for € 18.5m, payable over three years.
Pirlo’s side have also revealed that they will have to pay an additional € 6.5million for the midfielder, if various conditions are met during the term of the contract.
McKennie, who has been on loan to the club since August 2020, signed a deal with Juve until 2025.
How did McKennie play for Juve?
Juve surprised a lot in the summer of 2020 when they took the step for McKennie, a regular at Bundesliga team Schalke, who had just finished the 2019-20 season in 12th place in the table.
International established with the USMNT, the Bianconeri have paid a loan of 4.5 million euros for the midfielder, with the possibility of signing him permanently.
McKennie had his work cut out for victory with the Serie A champions, who were already well supplied in midfield with Aaron Ramsey, Rodrigo Bentancur, Arthur Melo and Adrien Rabiot.
However, with Emre Can, Miralem Pjanic, Blaise Matuidi and Sami Khedira having all been moved, it was deemed necessary to introduce another midfielder option, with McKennie doing the trick.
In total, McKennie has made 14 starts, plus seven substitute appearances, in Serie A, scoring four goals and registering two assists.
He has also made six appearances in the Champions League, scoring one goal – a stunning scissor volley in a 3-0 win over Barcelona in the group stage at Camp Nou.
The Objective view | Romeo Agresti | Juventus correspondent
Weston McKennie’s impact at Juventus has been incredible and he’s been playing really well since moving in the summer of 2020.
He has already scored five goals and won two assists and Juve’s coaching staff are confident he can still improve. Indeed, this is only McKennie’s first season in Italy and it is believed that he will eventually become a world class player.
Juve’s hierarchy believe that signing McKennie will prove to be a shrewd move in the years to come, with the possibility that he will be sold for up to € 50m in the future, if he continues to sell off. progress at the current rate.
