Juventus have secured the permanent signing of Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle United, and the deal is already a certainty-regardless of whether the club qualifies for the Champions League or any other European competition.
Despite early speculation that Kelly’s future in Turin would hinge on Juventus reaching a European spot, the reality is much simpler. The obligation to buy was triggered by a minimum number of appearances, not by league position. As one Italian report put it, “No official announcement for now, but the reality is that the redemption from Newcastle has already taken place. And no, it has nothing to do with European cups. No clauses tied to the Champions League, Europa League or even the Conference. The fate of the young Englishman was already sealed, and his permanence in Turin is a question of… numbers. Appearances, to be precise.”
Since joining Juventus on loan at the start of 2025, Kelly quickly became a first-choice defender, making 13 appearances before a recent injury. This was more than enough to activate the automatic purchase clause embedded in his loan agreement.
The financial details of the deal are clear:
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An initial loan fee of €3 million, plus €0.8 million in additional costs.
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A guaranteed obligation to buy for €14.5 million, payable over three years, with a further €2.7 million in related fees.
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Up to €6.5 million in performance-related bonuses, depending on sporting targets.
In total, the investment could reach nearly €30 million, but Juventus have already accounted for the transfer as a definitive acquisition in their books, given the high likelihood that all conditions have been met.
