Juventus Youth Goalkeeper Riccardo Radu Earns First-Team Call-Up
Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has named 17-year-old goalkeeper Riccardo Radu in his matchday squad for the first time, calling him up for the Serie A match against Atalanta. The Romanian-Italian youth international has been promoted from the Primavera (Under-19) side to provide cover following a muscle injury to second-choice goalkeeper Mattia Perin. The 2007-born goalkeeper will serve as the third-choice option behind starter Michele Di Gregorio and veteran Carlo Pinsoglio for the upcoming fixture.
Radu's inclusion comes as a direct result of the injury to Perin, which has created a short-term need for a third goalkeeper in the first-team squad. The 17-year-old, who has been with Juventus for over a decade after joining the club's youth academy, is a product of the club's youth system. He has been a consistent performer for the Primavera team this season, making 31 total appearances across the Under-17 and Under-20 levels.
His journey to this point has been unorthodox. Interestingly, Radu did not start his youth career as a goalkeeper. According to his family, he only began playing in goal by chance at the age of eight, stepping in for an injured teammate and enjoying the experience so much he chose to stay in the position. He signed his first professional contract with Juventus in July 2024, a deal that is set to expire at the end of the current season.
His development has not been without significant setbacks. Just under a year ago, Radu suffered a serious injury during a Primavera match against Sassuolo, suffering a fractured facial bone in a collision with a teammate. He was taken directly to the hospital but has since made a full recovery. His performances this season, which include 12 clean sheets for the Primavera and 12 call-ups to the senior matchday squad for the 'Next Gen' (U23) team, have now earned him a spot on the bench for the senior side. This call-up, while necessitated by Perin's injury, is seen by the club as a valuable opportunity for Radu to gain first-team experience and integrate with the senior squad's environment, offering a glimpse of the club's future talent.
