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Juventus confirm US midfielder McKennie

Published:Thursday | March 4, 2021 | 12:09 AM
Juventus’ Weston McKennie (right) vies for the ball with Porto’s Sergio Oliveira during the Champions League round of 16, first leg match between FC Porto and Juventus at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
AP
Juventus’ Weston McKennie (right) vies for the ball with Porto’s Sergio Oliveira during the Champions League round of 16, first leg match between FC Porto and Juventus at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

TURIN, Italy (AP):

Juventus made Weston McKennie’s move to the Serie A giants permanent yesterday, tying the American midfielder to the club for the next four seasons.

McKennie has been at Juventus since August, after joining on loan from German club Schalke, but the Bianconeri have exercised the option to purchase the player’s full rights.

Juventus said the fee was US$22 million, payable over three years, plus up to US$7.8 million in bonuses.

The nine-time defending Serie A champions added that McKennie has signed a contract through to June 30, 2025.

McKennie, who is the first American to play for Juventus, has scored five goals — including one in a Champions League win at Barcelona — in 31 appearances.

The 22-year-old has already won a trophy at Juventus, helping them lift the Italian Super Cup in January with a 2-0 victory over Napoli.

SIGNING FEE TO AID FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

The signing fee will be a boost for Schalke, which are facing relegation from the Bundesliga and deep financial problems. Schalke have not been outside the top division since 1991 but are in last place in the league with just one win all season.

Schalke spent heavily on player signings and wages while chasing Champions League success over the last decade but ran into trouble when they missed out on qualifying for the lucrative European competition. The coronavirus pandemic worsened their financial troubles when fans were not allowed to attend games.