Leeds bolster U.S. core by signing McKennie on initial loan from Juve

The American contingent at Leeds United continues to grow.

The Premier League club completed the signing of Weston McKennie from Juventus on Monday, adding the U.S. midfielder on an initial loan until the end of the season.

Leeds will pay a €1.25-million loan fee, which could rise to €1.5 million with bonuses, Juventus confirmed. The deal includes a purchase option of €34.5 million, which could rise to €39 million if certain "performance objectives" are achieved during his time in England. All told, the deal could be worth a maximum of €40.5 million.

McKennie, 24, joins compatriots Jesse Marsch, Tyler Adams, and Brenden Aaronson at Elland Road. Chris Armas recently joined the club's staff, too.

McKennie attracted interest from other Premier League teams this month, with Nottingham Forest reportedly making a late push for his signature, but Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani got the deal across the finish line in a meeting with Juventus officials last week.

McKennie, who made 15 Serie A appearances this season, was left out of Juventus' squad for their 2-0 defeat to Monza on Sunday after manager Massimiliano Allegri admitted he was in the process of finalizing his move.

He joined the Italian giants from Schalke in 2020, making 96 appearances in all competitions, and scoring 13 goals, in that time. McKennie has 41 senior USMNT caps to his name. He started all four matches at the 2022 World Cup, helping the United States reach the last 16.

A dynamic midfielder who can fill a variety of positions and roles - he played primarily as a right wing-back for Juve in recent weeks - McKennie is Leeds' third signing of the January transfer window following the arrivals of Georginio Rutter and Max Wober. He could make his debut on Sunday against Nottingham Forest.

Leeds are currently mired in a relegation battle, sitting one point above the Premier League drop zone.