The second official transfer of the summer of 2026 brings an injection of pure, high-ceiling potential to Turin. Following the permanent acquisition of Jérémie Boga, Juventus has secured one of the most exciting young talents in Italian football, finalizing a deal that signals a clear investment in the club’s long-term future under the new regime.
Juventus has officially announced the permanent signing of forward Jeff Ekhator from Genoa. The 19-year-old striker has committed his long-term future to the Bianconeri,
signing a five-year contract that runs through June 2031.
While Juventus did not disclose the official financial figures in their announcement, reports from yesterday indicate the deal was finalized for a fee of €16 million plus €2 million in add-ons. Moving in the opposite direction is Austrian fullback prospect David Puczka, who leaves Juventus Next Gen to join Genoa in a separate deal valued at €5 million after an impressive, goal-scoring campaign in Serie C.
Despite his youth, Ekhator arrives with an astonishing amount of first-team experience:
- 57 total appearances for Genoa across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, scoring five goals.
- The only player born in 2006 to register at least 50 appearances in Serie A over the last two seasons, according to Juventus.
- The youngest player in Europe to reach 50 appearances over the last two years across the top five European leagues and their respective second divisions.
That steady, precocious development hasn’t just caught the eye of the front office at Continassa; it also earned him a senior international call-up. On June 7, Ekhator made his official debut for the Italian national team against Greece, immediately making his mark by providing the match-winning assist.
With Dusan Vlahovic having officially departed the club, Ekhator arrives at a fascinating time for the Juventus frontline. He joins Jonathan David, Loïs Openda, and Arkadiusz Milik as the primary striker options available to Spalletti for the upcoming campaign. While David and Openda will look to spearhead the attack and bounce back from their respective transitions last season, and Milik provides veteran cover, Ekhator’s raw physical traits and versatility offer a highly dynamic, high-upside alternative to rotate into the mix.
With Juventus navigating strict financial boundaries and a lack of Champions League football this coming season, locking down Europe’s most experienced teenage forward on a five-year deal is a massive coup.
