Page 66 - Soccer360 Issue 107

SUMMER TRANSFERS
RIGHT:
Douglas
Luiz arrives
at Juventus following the best season of his career
BELOW:
SSC Napoli’s Italian defender Alessandro Buongiorno controls the ball during
the the Coppa Italia football match between SSC Napoli vs Modena
“LAST SEASON WAS DOUGLAS LUIZ’S BEST IN TERMS OF NUMBERS AND HIGH-LEVEL PERFORMANCES AS HIS NINE GOALS FIRED VILLA TO FOURTH PLACE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE”
SERIE A - DOUGLAS LUIZ
The excitement of Euro 2024 and the Copa America meant high-profile signings in the early part of summer were in short supply, but one exception was Juventus splashing the cash to lock down the services of Douglas Luiz on a five-year contract from Aston Villa for €50m. Meanwhile, Argentine midfielder Enzo Barrenechea and England U-21 international Samuel Iling-Junior moved in the opposite direction for a reported €8
m fee. Brazilian Luiz first arrived in Europe in 2017 when Manchester City signed the then 19-year-old from Vasco da Gama, however, the midfielder never kicked a ball in anger for the Citizens as he was loaned out to another City Football Group club Girona. Luiz spent two seasons with the Catalans before joining the Premier League side in 2019 where his
TRANSFER
€48.9 MILLION
performances would make him a firm fan favourite at Villa Park.
The Rio de Janeiro native scored 20 goals
in 175 league appearances for the Villans while providing 18 assists. Last season was his best in terms of numbers and high-level performances as his nine goals fired Villa to fourth place in the Premier League table and their first qualification to European football’s premium competition since 1983.
Current Villa boss Unai Emery has helped take Luiz’s game to the next level, as he often dominated games in midfield during 2023-24. His creativity from deep was a major factor
in the team’s success, while he also has the ability to be more of an enforcer, breaking up opposition attacks before setting his side on their way. His new team Juventus are looking to rebuild after freeing themselves from the
DID YOU KNOW?
On 7 August 2021, Luiz won a gold medal as part of the Brazil football team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
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