Newcastle United defender labelled ’embarrassing’ after recent performances | OneFootball

Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly has endured a difficult time at the club since joining last year.

After joining the club on a free transfer from Bournemouth in 2024, expectations were high for the 26-year-old defender.

However, his time at Newcastle saw limited first-team opportunities, leading to a loan move to Juventus in early 2025.

Kelly’s performances at Juventus have been met with harsh criticism from Italian media.

Lloyd Kelly left Newcastle earlier this year

Journalist Mimmo Cugini described him as “frankly embarrassing,” highlighting a particularly poor showing against Parma.

Despite this criticism, Juventus are reportedly set to make Kelly’s move permanent, with the Mapgies expected to receive around £20 million from the deal.

“Considering what they paid for him, I think he is the most disastrous signing in the history of Juventus.” Cugini said, as reported by Football Italia.

Newcastle United have decided to cash in on Kelly

Lloyd Kelly has come under severe criticism after leaving Newcastle United. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

The defender, who joined the club as a free agent last summer, was expected to become a long term part of Eddie Howe’s side at St James’ Park.

With Newcastle not giving him enough playing time at the club earlier this season, they decided to offload him and send him to Juventus in a loan move.

The defender has no future with the Magpies and a permanent sale away from the club is inevitable.

Kelly’s stint at Newcastle did not unfold as anticipated but the club stands to benefit financially from his transfer to Juventus.

The Magpies could lose one defender to the Italian league but another could join them from the Serie A with .