Juventus defender Mattia De Sciglio has completed a move to Serie A side Empoli. The 31-year-old Italian fullback leaves Turin after seven years with the Bianconeri, having fallen out of favor under new manager Thiago Motta.
The transfer is expected to be a permanent move, though with some unusual financial arrangements. While Empoli will acquire De Sciglio on a full transfer, Juventus are reportedly agreeing to continue paying a portion of the player’s €1.5 million annual salary. This structure allows Juventus to clear space on their wage bill while making the deal more financially viable for Empoli.
De Sciglio joined Juventus from AC Milan in 2017, following his mentor Massimiliano Allegri to Turin. During his time with the Old Lady, the versatile defender experienced both highs and lows. He made over 100 appearances across all competitions for Juventus, winning three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies.
However, injuries hampered his progress in recent seasons. A severe ACL injury in May 2023 sidelined De Sciglio for most of the previous campaign, limiting his contributions to the team.
For De Sciglio, the move to Empoli represents an opportunity for a fresh start and regular playing time. The Tuscan club narrowly avoided relegation last season but has begun the new campaign on a positive note, including an impressive away victory against Roma.
Empoli will be gaining an experienced player in De Sciglio, who has 40 caps for the Italian national team. His versatility, capable of playing on either flank of the defense, should prove valuable to a squad filled with promising young talents.
