Kelly turns hero for Juventus after Newcastle exit
Lloyd Kelly has become an unlikely star at Juventus after scoring in back-to-back games against Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund. The 26-year-old defender netted his first Serie A goal in a 4-3 win over Inter, then struck a last-minute equaliser in a dramatic 4-4 Champions League draw with Dortmund. His goals made him the first English defender to score for Juventus in Serie A and the first Englishman to score for the club in Europe’s top event.
Kelly’s rise is striking, given his tough spell at Newcastle. Signed on a free transfer in 2024, he faced stiff competition from Lewis Hall and Dan Burn, which limited his time on the pitch. Newcastle later sold him to Juventus for €17.5 million, partly due to financial rules.
Once called a poor signing in Italy, Kelly has since earned trust under coach Igor Tudor. With his match-winning form, he is now viewed as a key figure for Juventus and a new fan favourite in Turin.
