Juventus have completed the signing of forward Jeff Osayuki Ekhator from Genoa for a fee of €16 million, the club announced on Monday. The 18-year-old has signed a contract with the Turin side that will run until June 30, 2031.
The deal sees Juventus acquire the promising young striker, who was born in 2006, on a permanent transfer. Genoa will receive €16 million paid over three installments, plus additional costs of €0.4 million. The agreement also includes potential performance-based bonuses of up to €2 million.
Ekhator made his Serie A debut in August 2024 and has since made 57 appearances across all competitions for Genoa, scoring five goals. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Rossoblù, demonstrating a notable ability to impact matches despite his young age. His arrival at Juventus is seen as a significant investment in the club’s future attacking options.
As part of the deal, defender David Puczka will move in the opposite direction, joining Genoa’s Next Gen squad for a fee of approximately €5 million. Puczka has been a part of Juventus’ youth system and will be looking to gain more regular playing time with the Ligurian club. The move allows Juventus to streamline their squad while securing a highly-rated young talent in Ekhator.
This transfer represents Juventus’ first major signing of the summer 2026 window, signalling their intent to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. Ekhator’s potential and early performances have marked him as one of Italy’s most promising young forwards, and his development at Juventus will be closely watched. The acquisition provides Juventus with a long-term solution in attack and adds depth to their forward line.
