Juventus have taken a gamble on signing the ‘Messi of Kosovo’

Although the Bianconeri made two deadline deals, bringing in both Lois Openda and Edon Zhegrova is a risky punt that might not pay dividends.
Juve's newcomer Edon Zhegrova has not played this year because of injury
Juve's newcomer Edon Zhegrova has not played this year because of injury | FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/GettyImages

Unorthodox center forward Lois Openda was prolific in his debut Bundesliga season with RB Leipzig. He netted 24 goals from 34 league games, but the following season only found the back of the net nine times.

The Belgium international was only selected as a second choice, after the deal for Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain collapsed.

Juve head coach Igor Tudor has goal poacher Jonathan David and in-form Dusan Vlahovic at his disposal, so Openda will need to hit the ground running with the Turin titans.

Right winger Edon Zhegrova last played for LOSC Lille in early January, and has been sidelined with adductor pain/pubalgia ever since.

Despite only playing in a dozen Ligue 1 matches last term, Juventus had to fend off interest from Olympique Marseille to secure his signature.

Zhegrova is only the second Kosovan player to sign for the Italian giants, following in the footsteps of Riza Lushta who won the Coppa Italia during his five season stint in the 1940s

Albanian naturalization for Juve ace

Yet Zhegrova was born in Germany, and moved back to Kosovo as a small child. Although he was recently naturalized as an Albanian, he is a national hero for Kosovo courtesy of some electrifying displays in 42 internationals.

His ability to generate goals and assists with his lethal left foot, as well as his array of silky skills, have earned him the nickname of “Messi of Kosovo”.

He kicked off his soccer career in the Flamurtari and Pristina academies. Aged 12 he won a prize from AC Milan as the best player, flown over to watch the Rossoneri tackle Chivo inside the San Siro.

Spotted and signed up by Standard Liege in 2015, he played for two seasons before switching Belgian Pro League clubs to KRC Genk. Zhegrova moved to FC Basel for €3 million (US$3.5m) in 2019, and three years later LOSC forked out €5m (US$5.8m) in 2022.

Zhegrova's route to Juventus

Spotted and signed up by Standard Liege in 2015, he played for two seasons before switching Belgian Pro League clubs to KRC Genk. Zhegrova moved to FC Basel for €3 million (US$3.5m) in 2019, and three years later LOSC forked out €5m (US$5.8m) in 2022.

Giovanni Manna, the former Juventus U19 Academy Manager who has been Napoli sporting director since May 2024, unsuccessfully tried to tie up a deal for Zhegrova.

Time will tell whether Tudor can get the best out of both Openda and Zhegrova, who both have Champions League experience so could prove invaluable for Juventus this campaign.