Lazio have completed the signing of Danilho Doekhi from Union Berlin on a free transfer, the club confirmed on Thursday. The 25-year-old centre-back has signed a contract with the Serie A side that runs until June 30, 2029.
Doekhi arrives in Rome following the expiration of his contract with the Bundesliga club, where he spent the last four seasons. During his time in Germany, he also featured in the Champions League. The Netherlands-born defender established himself as a key player for Union Berlin, making 137 appearances and scoring 16 goals. He was a consistent performer, playing every minute of Bundesliga matches in the last two seasons.
The move to Lazio comes after the departure of Mario Gila and uncertainty surrounding the future of Francesco Romagnoli, prompting the club to reinforce their defensive options. Doekhi, who stands at 190cm tall, is known for his aerial dominance, strength in individual duels, and reliable marking ability. He also possesses a goal threat, having scored seven goals and provided one assist in 37 appearances last season.
Doekhi has stated that he models his game on Raphael Varane, emphasizing his desire to defend strongly and contribute goals when possible. Lazio manager Maurizio Gattuso is expected to deploy Doekhi as a starter in a four-man defence. Fantasy football players have taken note of the transfer, with Doekhi currently valued at 18 credits on Fantacampionato, representing an attractive option for a starting defender with potential for bonus points. In auction-based leagues, he could represent a valuable investment, potentially costing between 3% and 4% of a team’s budget.
This signing addresses a clear need for Lazio in the backline and provides a long-term solution in central defence. Doekhi’s consistent availability and goal-scoring ability could make him a key asset for the club both defensively and in attack.
