Free transfer coup: Zeki Celik joins Juventus

An unexpected and dramatic day unfolded for Turkey's undisputed right-back. According to Fabrizio Romano's "here we go" announcement, Juventus have hijacked AS Roma's ongoing new contract talks and agreed to sign Zeki Celik. Despite a verbal pact in place with Roma, the 29-year-old has reached an agreement in principle to join Juventus as a free agent; according to Romeo Agresti, Celik was in Turin today, with the deal in place.

This development represents a complete reversal of the storyline. Just a few weeks ago, reports emerged that Roma had reached agreement with Celik over a new contract, with only the official announcement outstanding. With his contract expiring on June 30, speculation over his future had at the time been presented as a notable win for Roma over their Serie A rivals — particularly Juventus and Inter — with the paperwork reportedly done and only confirmation awaited. However, Juventus's last-minute intervention has completely changed the picture.

The player's career story also explains the background to this move. Celik's journey at Roma began in 2022 from Lille; having earned nearly 60 caps as Turkey's undisputed right-back and remaining a key defensive piece in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, he found regular first-team football at Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Juventus' need was also clear. Having failed to replace Timothy Weah, the Italian giants had long been searching for a right-back and had Celik on their radar due to his reliability and strong performances in Serie A; his free-agent status represents a strong reinforcement without a transfer fee for the club.

Source: Fabrizio Romano
Image: BeIN Sports