Locatelli was part of the Italy squad that won Euro 2020 last month, scoring twice in five games and coming on as a late substitute in the final.
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The Juventus midfield has enjoyed a massive boost following the addition of Euro 2020 star Manuel Locatelli who joins the Serie-A giants from Sassuolo. The 23-year-old was a star performer for Italy in the recently concluded Euros, with his talent most certainly undeniable. Locatelli has joined Juventus on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy in 2023. The deal will become a permanent transfer in June 2023 for a further three years.
Locatelli’s addition increases the number of Italian players who were a part of the Euro 2020 campaign in the Juventus setup to five. Federico Bernardeschi, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Federico Chiesa are the other players. Locatelli will certainly be remembered for his brace against Switzerland. The 23-year-old is the youngest outfield player to have made at least 100 appearances in the Italian top-flight (144 appearances, with eight goals and 11 assists), since making his Serie A debut with Milan (21st April 2016).
Locatelli was recorded as having made the most passes in Serie A (2,749), while also successfully completing the greatest number of passes (1,358) while representing Sassuolo last season. Since making his Azzurri debut (7th September 2020), the 23-year-old is one of the players with the most appearances, 15, all while scoring three goals (two of which came in the Euro 2020). It was with that brace that Locatelli became the third player to score two goals with Italy at the European Championships, after Pierluigi Casiraghi during the Euro 1996 and Mario Balotelli at Euro 2012.
Another interesting addition to the Bianconeri squad is that of 19-year-old Brazilian striker Kaio Jorge, born in 2002 who has signed from Santos, penning a contract until 2026. Jorge’s path in professional football began very early and has so far been full of excitement. His playing style is further very enjoyable, with the footballer moving at a quick pace and taking advantage of every opportunity available. Jorge joined the youth set-up of Santos at the age of 10. He worked hard at the King Pele Training Centre all the way to stepping onto the pitch to make his first-team debut in September 2018. Jorge’s debut was recorded against Athletico Paranaense at age 16 years and 249 days old.
However, 2020 marked the year when he actually exploded, making 46 first-team appearances between the league and Copa Libertadores. Jorge emerged as the only player born since 2001 to have scored at least five goals in a single edition of the latter. He is also the scorer of the fastest Copa Libertadores goal since 2013, recording the feat after just 11 seconds against fellow Brazilian side, Gremio. In that game, Jorge would also score his first brace in the competition to help see Santos through to the semi-finals, before going all the way with his team to the final.
The youngster has tasted success previously, having won the World Cup with the Brazil Under 17s in 2019, scoring in the 2-1 win in the final against Mexico. Jorge’s exploits earned him the Bronze Boot, showcasing the impact he is capable of.
