OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Juventus sign Joao Cancelo for €40.4 million

For the better part of the last seven years, Juventus didn’t have to worry their right back position. Stephan Lichtsteiner was one of the first names on the team sheet much more often than not, with one of Beppe Marotta’s first signings at Juve looking like one of the best.

Less than a month after Lichtsteiner signed with Arsenal on a free transfer, Juventus have found the man who will try and fill the Swiss Express’ big shoes.

Juventus have announced that they have finalized a €40.4 million deal — that’s a lot! — for 24-year-old Valencia right back Joao Cancelo. This will be Cancelo’s second Italian club in as many seasons having spent the 2017-18 campaign at San Siro with Inter. Although, that was a one-year loan deal. Juve are hoping that Cancelo — who wasn’t included in Portugal’s 23-man World Cup squad — is around a lot longer than just about nine or 10 months.

All the pertenant words, from Juventus’ official website:

Turin, 27 June 2018 - Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that the agreement with Valencia Club de Futbol SAD for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo has been finalized for a consideration of € 40.4 million payable in three financial years.

This acquisition will generate economic and financial effects starting from 2018/2019 sportive season.

Juventus and the player have signed a 5-year contract of employment until 30 June 2023.

There is the financial breakdown we were wondering about. The €40.4 million transfer fee is a tad more than any of the Italian media outlets had reported in the days leading up to Cancelo undergoing his medicals and signing his new five-year contract.

But, he’s here. And, as a result, Valencia has a lot of money coming their way.

There will be a lot of pressure for Cancelo to be the Alex Sandro of the right flank with what he’s cost Juventus this summer. Like every big signing that Juventus have made the last four years under Max Allegri’s watch, it will be interesting to see just how quickly Cancelo is worked into the starting lineup. The good thing going for Cancelo is that his move to Juve has been finished up in advance of preseason training starting up, so he will be working with Allegri from the first day onward.

That’s all something to worry about later, though. For now, let’s be happy that a big-money transfer didn’t get drawn out and linger into preseason preparations. Like he’s done with the other Juve signings this summer, Marotta has gotten things done before the month of July arrives and gotten Juventus younger at a position of need at the same time.