Jeff Ekhator’s start to life at Juventus has been disrupted by a hamstring injury, the club confirmed on Saturday. The forward, recently signed from Genoa, sustained a low-grade biceps femoris muscle injury in his right thigh and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 20 days.
The injury occurred during Ekhator’s debut for Juventus in a friendly match against Basel, where he played for 28 minutes before being forced off following a challenge. Medical examinations at the J Medical facility revealed the extent of the damage, with numerous supporters gathering to greet the new signing as he arrived.
Ekhator, born in 2006, has already begun his rehabilitation program. The injury will likely rule him out of Juventus’ upcoming friendly matches in Perth, Australia, scheduled for August 8th against Inter and August 11th against Palermo.
According to reports, Juventus are considering a loan move for Ekhator to Parma as part of a potential deal to bring Dennis Pellegrino to Turin. However, the club is reportedly prioritizing Ekhator’s full recovery before making any decisions regarding a loan. The potential move to Parma would allow Ekhator to gain consistent playing time while recovering, and potentially facilitate the acquisition of Pellegrino, who currently plays for Parma.
Ekhator joined Juventus as a promising young talent, hoping to break into the first team. The injury represents a setback in his development, but the club will hope for a swift recovery and a successful loan spell if that is the path they choose. This injury further complicates Juventus’ attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming Serie A season.
