Juventus sign 18-year-old Bosnia winger Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen
Synopsis
Juventus have landed one of European football's most exciting teenage wingers. Kerim Alajbegovic, 18, arrives from Bayer Leverkusen after a 14-goal loan season at Red Bull Salzburg and a World Cup goal nominated for Goal of the Tournament — all before his 19th birthday. Turin has secured him until 2031.
Key Takeaways
Juventus have signed Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal confirmed on 2 August .
The 18-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina winger has signed a five-year contract running until 30 June 2031 .
Alajbegovic scored 13 goals and registered 4 assists in 44 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg in 2025-26; Leverkusen credited him with 14 goals and 4 assists .
He has made 11 senior appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina , including a 2026 FIFA World Cup goal against Qatar nominated for Goal of the Tournament .
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes cited fierce squad competition as the key reason for sanctioning the sale.
Juventus have completed the permanent signing of Bosnia and Herzegovina international Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen, with the 18-year-old winger penning a five-year contract that ties him to the Serie A club until 30 June 2031. The Turin club confirmed the deal on Sunday, 2 August, ending speculation over the teenager's future after a standout loan campaign in Austria.
The Transfer Details
Alajbegovic arrives in Turin following a breakthrough 2025-26 season on loan at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, where he made 44 appearances across all competitions, contributing 13 goals and 4 assists. Bayer Leverkusen credited him with 14 goals and 4 assists during the loan spell. The Bundesliga side agreed to the permanent exit after acknowledging the fierce competition for places in their attacking ranks.
Who Is Kerim Alajbegovic
Born in Cologne, Alajbegovic began his development in the youth systems of hometown club Cologne before joining Bayer Leverkusen's academy. A dynamic wide attacker comfortable on either flank and with both feet, he earned call-ups to Leverkusen's Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League squads without making a senior appearance, before moving to Salzburg to gain regular first-team experience.
Despite still being a teenager, he has already accumulated 11 senior international appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring 2 goals. One of those strikes came at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a stunning solo effort against Qatar that was nominated for the Goal of the Tournament award.
What Juventus and Leverkusen Said
Juventus described Alajbegovic as a player with 'big personality and huge promise', pointing to his versatility, pace, and unpredictability as qualities that make him a dangerous attacking option. Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes explained the club's rationale for sanctioning the sale.
'Following his time with us in the youth ranks, Kerim has recently made great strides again whilst at Salzburg. At the same time, we had to be realistic about the fact that competition within our squad is very fierce, particularly in his preferred positions. Against this backdrop, and taking into account the overall terms of the transfer, we have agreed to his move to Italy,' Rolfes said.
'The fact that a player from our youth academy has moved to a club like Juventus once again highlights the outstanding work carried out by our academy. We wish Kerim all the best for the future,' he added.
Why This Signing Matters
The acquisition underscores Juventus's renewed focus on securing elite young talent before rivals can act — a strategy that mirrors the club's historic approach to building squads around high-ceiling prospects. Alajbegovic is among the most sought-after teenage wingers in European football following his World Cup moment, and his arrival signals ambition from the Turin side as they look to reassert themselves in Serie A and on the continental stage.
At 18, he becomes one of the youngest players in the current Juventus squad, and how the club manages his development over the next two seasons will be closely watched across European football.
Point of View
Banking on potential rather than proven top-flight consistency. The five-year contract is a long leash, and the pressure will be on the coaching staff to integrate him without rushing his development. Bayer Leverkusen, for their part, face a familiar academy dilemma: their talent pipeline is elite, but their first-team depth means homegrown players often have to leave to be seen. For Juventus, the real test is whether they can be the club that finally turns high-ceiling teenage signings into serial winners — a track record that has been inconsistent in recent years.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kerim Alajbegovic?
Kerim Alajbegovic is an 18-year-old Bosnian winger born in Cologne who developed through the youth academies of Cologne and Bayer Leverkusen. He gained senior experience on loan at Red Bull Salzburg in 2025-26, scoring 13 goals in 44 appearances, and has 11 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina including a World Cup goal.
How much did Juventus pay for Alajbegovic?
The transfer fee has not been officially disclosed by either Juventus or Bayer Leverkusen. The deal was confirmed as a permanent transfer on 2 August, with Alajbegovic signing a five-year contract until 30 June 2031.
Why did Bayer Leverkusen agree to sell Alajbegovic?
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes cited intense competition for places in the squad, particularly in attacking wide positions, as the primary reason for agreeing to the sale. He also noted the overall terms of the transfer were acceptable to the club.
What was Alajbegovic's 2026 FIFA World Cup moment?
Alajbegovic scored a stunning solo goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Qatar at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The strike was nominated for the Goal of the Tournament award, significantly raising his profile across European football.
What kind of player is Kerim Alajbegovic?
Alajbegovic is a dynamic wide attacker capable of playing on either flank and comfortable with both feet. Juventus described him as having 'big personality and huge promise', highlighting his versatility, pace, and unpredictability as his key attributes.
