Jhon Lucumí signs with Juventus for four years, becomes third Colombian to wear the club's jersey

Another Colombian defender is putting on the black and white stripes. Jhon Lucumí is a new Juventus player, having signed a four-year deal with the club, where he arrives tagged as a much-needed reinforcement for the back line.

The defender from Valle del Cauca is now entering his fifth season in Italian soccer, but this time with a major step up in level: he's joining one of the continent's most popular and storied clubs. This is no ordinary move for him, and he made that clear as soon as the signing was confirmed.

"Yes, I'm very happy to join the biggest club in Italy, I'm truly excited. I hope to adapt quickly to my teammates and help them for the rest of the season,"

With this move, Lucumí becomes the third Colombian to play for Juventus, and the name that carries the most weight on that list is Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, who wore the jersey for several seasons and left Turin with 11 titles to his name, having also worn the captain's armband. Lucumí makes no secret of wanting to honor that legacy.

"First of all there's Cuadrado. He did great work here and he's a key figure for Colombia and for his career at this club. Juventus has also had great defenders: Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli. I see them as role models for me and for any player in my position," the defender added.

A locker room full of stars and a new coach

The center back arrives at what could be considered a moment of footballing maturity, having built up experience in Serie A and with the ambition to compete on equal footing with the big names in defense. His new coach will be Luciano Spalletti, with whom he's only had brief contact so far, which makes sense given that this is a recent signing who still needs to join training sessions and get to know the coaching staff's ideas firsthand.

On the continental stage, Lucumí will have the chance to play in the UEFA Europa League with Juventus, a competition that will give him international experience and important minutes as he fights for a spot in defense.

The player himself made no secret of the ambition he brings to Turin, nor of the respect he feels for the level of the squad he'll be joining day to day.

"I've taken the right step. With teammates of such high level, I know I can make an important contribution and bring real value to Juventus," Jhon Lucumí

Now the real challenge begins: earning a place in a demanding defense, adapting to Spalletti's system and, over time, trying to live up to the legacy Cuadrado left behind in Turin.