Roma targets right-back replacements after Çelik's unexpected Juventus move

Fresh details have emerged about Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, revealing Roma was blindsided by the transfer. The Turkish right-back was scheduled to sign his contract renewal with Roma on Friday and attend the club's weekend training camp. Roma had already purchased his return flight to Fiumicino and prepared the documentation, but Çelik never countersigned his portion of the contract. Instead, he travelled to Turin for a medical examination and joined Juventus. According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma had already signed their section of the renewal agreement while remaining unaware of Çelik's intentions to leave. Sporting director Massara seized the opportunity to move quickly once the situation became clear. The manoeuvre left Gian Piero Gasperini without a key defender as the squad prepared for the new season.

Zeki Çelik has left AS Roma to join Juventus on a free transfer, ending four seasons at the Giallorossi. The Turkish full-back underwent medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin and signed a contract binding him to the Bianconeri until 30 June 2029. Çelik was expected to return to Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days to resume pre-season work, but instead opted to depart after an initial verbal agreement with Roma over a contract renewal fell through. Çelik made 115 appearances and scored 2 goals during his time in the capital. His departure represents a significant loss to Roma's squad depth at right-back, a position now requiring reinforcement. The move reunites him with Ricky Massara, who recently left his role as Roma's sporting director to become Chief Football Officer at Juventus. Juventus confirmed the signing in an official statement, detailing that Çelik's deal runs through the 2028–29 season.

Zeki Çelik has signed with Juventus, abandoning a verbal agreement reached with Roma in recent days. The transfer represents a late-market plot twist that has sparked a wave of backlash from Roma supporters on social media. Roma fans have flooded Çelik's social media with hostile comments, calling him a traitor and criticising his decision to leave. The right-back was forced to disable comments on his farewell post following the barrage of criticism. While some Roma supporters expressed relief at his departure, with comments praising the move as his best contribution to the club's cause, others have already begun preparing for his return to the Stadio Olimpico. The fixture between Roma and Juventus is scheduled for 19 December, when Çelik is expected to face a hostile reception. Some fans have taken to social media to remind him of the welcome awaiting him: "Prepare yourself for the Olimpico's reception, ungrateful." The unexpected nature of Çelik's switch has dominated discussion among the Roma fanbase, with reactions ranging from anger at perceived disloyalty to satisfaction that he has moved on. His departure has left Roma's defensive recruitment uncertain heading into the remainder of the transfer window.

Fresh details have emerged about Zeki Çelik's move to Juventus, revealing Roma was blindsided by the transfer. The Turkish right-back was scheduled to sign his contract renewal with Roma on Friday and attend the club's weekend training camp. Roma had already purchased his return flight to Fiumicino and prepared the documentation, but Çelik never countersigned his portion of the contract. Instead, he travelled to Turin for a medical examination and joined Juventus. According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma had already signed their section of the renewal agreement while remaining unaware of Çelik's intentions to leave. Sporting director Massara seized the opportunity to move quickly once the situation became clear. The manoeuvre left Gian Piero Gasperini without a key defender as the squad prepared for the new season.

Zeki Çelik has left AS Roma to join Juventus on a free transfer, ending four seasons at the Giallorossi. The Turkish full-back underwent medical tests at Juventus's J Medical facility in Turin and signed a contract binding him to the Bianconeri until 30 June 2029. Çelik was expected to return to Roma's Trigoria training ground in the coming days to resume pre-season work, but instead opted to depart after an initial verbal agreement with Roma over a contract renewal fell through. Çelik made 115 appearances and scored 2 goals during his time in the capital. His departure represents a significant loss to Roma's squad depth at right-back, a position now requiring reinforcement. The move reunites him with Ricky Massara, who recently left his role as Roma's sporting director to become Chief Football Officer at Juventus. Juventus confirmed the signing in an official statement, detailing that Çelik's deal runs through the 2028–29 season.

Zeki Çelik has signed with Juventus, abandoning a verbal agreement reached with Roma in recent days. The transfer represents a late-market plot twist that has sparked a wave of backlash from Roma supporters on social media. Roma fans have flooded Çelik's social media with hostile comments, calling him a traitor and criticising his decision to leave. The right-back was forced to disable comments on his farewell post following the barrage of criticism. While some Roma supporters expressed relief at his departure, with comments praising the move as his best contribution to the club's cause, others have already begun preparing for his return to the Stadio Olimpico. The fixture between Roma and Juventus is scheduled for 19 December, when Çelik is expected to face a hostile reception. Some fans have taken to social media to remind him of the welcome awaiting him: "Prepare yourself for the Olimpico's reception, ungrateful." The unexpected nature of Çelik's switch has dominated discussion among the Roma fanbase, with reactions ranging from anger at perceived disloyalty to satisfaction that he has moved on. His departure has left Roma's defensive recruitment uncertain heading into the remainder of the transfer window.