Ajax have reached an agreement with Juventus and Daniele Rugani on the direct loan of the defender for one season, the Dutch soccer club announced on Wednesday.

FC Juventus' Daniele Rugani (L) vies with Malmo's Antonio Colak during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between FC Juventus and Malmo in Turin, Italy, Dec. 8, 2021. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)

The 30-year-old Rugani has a contract until 2026 at Juventus. The loan deal with Ajax until June 30, 2025 does not include a buy option.

Juventus took over Rugani from the Empoli academy in 2012 and loaned him back for two seasons one year later. Under coach Maurizio Sarri the young Rugani flourished in the Serie B and the following year in the Serie A for Empoli.

After Rugani returned to Turin he was able to become a regular starter at Juventus, but stayed the ideal back-up in the center of defense behind big names like Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini.

In the 2020-2021 season Rugani was loaned out to Stade Rennes and Cagliari and after he returned his situation remained unchanged, as the ideal back-up in the center of defense.

Nevertheless Juve decided to extend the contract of the seven-time Italian international until mid-2026 in May this year. However, Rugani was tempted by the loan deal to Ajax and Juventus decided to cooperate.

"With Rugani, we are bringing in a player who has years of experience in one of the top European leagues," technical director Alex Kroes of Ajax reacted in a press release. "He is an intelligent, tall defender who is strong in duels. His arrival provides an experience boost for our squad and relatively young defense. This way, the team will be more balanced."

Rugani in total spent eight seasons at the highest level with Juventus, making 148 appearances in official matches, scoring 11 goals and capturing 11 trophies: five league titles, four Italian Cups and two Italian Super Cups.

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