TURIN, Italy (AP) — Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz is Thiago Motta’s first big signing at Juventus.

The Turin club announced Sunday that it’s paying a 50 million euro ($54 million) transfer fee for Luiz, who is currently playing for Brazil at the Copa America, and signed him to a five-year contract.

Motta, who coached Bologna to a Champions League spot, was recently named Juventus coach after Massimiliano Allegri was fired.

Luiz joins Juventus from Aston Villa, where he scored 22 goals and provided 24 assists in 204 appearances.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

© 2024 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved., source Canadian Press DataFile