Juventus Next Gen have completed the permanent signing of Ismael Konate from Empoli, the club confirmed on their official website. The 2006-born forward joins the Bianconeri on a contract that runs until June 30, 2029, following a successful loan spell at Lecco.
Konate arrives in Turin after a season split between Serie B and Serie C. He made five appearances for Empoli in the second tier before joining Lecco on loan in January 2026. With Lecco, the young Italian forward found regular playing time, featuring in 19 matches across the regular season and playoffs, scoring four goals. His performances for Lecco contributed to his development and earned him attention from Juventus.
Claudio Chiellini is credited with orchestrating the swift transfer, identifying Konate as a key addition for Massimo Brambilla’s squad. Konate represents the second attacking reinforcement for Juventus Next Gen this transfer window, following the arrival of Daniel Okolo from Triestina. The club hopes the two young forwards will add firepower to the team.
Konate has also represented Italy at various youth levels, demonstrating his potential on the international stage. He has already begun training with Juventus Next Gen at the Allianz Training Center in Vinovo, integrating with his new teammates under Brambilla’s guidance. The move provides Konate with a platform to continue his development within a prominent Italian club system.
This transfer signals Juventus’ commitment to nurturing young talent through their Next Gen setup, providing opportunities for promising players to gain experience and progress within the club’s structure. Konate’s arrival strengthens the team’s attacking options and offers further competition for places in the squad.
