Serbia’s Kostic completes Juventus move

Milan (AFP) – Filip Kostic completed his transfer to Juventus from Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday after signing a four-year deal with the Serie A club.

Serbia winger Kostic arrives in Turin in a transfer worth “12 million ($12.3m) euros payable in three financial years”, Juventus said, with further costs and potential bonuses pushing the value up to 16.5 million euros.

“Juventus and the player have signed a contract of employment until 30 June 2026,” Juve added.

The 29-year-old, who has 48 caps for his country, was crucial in Frankfurt’s run to the Europa League title last season, and he was named the best player in the competition.

His transfer to Juve was all but confirmed on Tuesday, when it emerged he had not travelled to Helsinki with Eintracht for their UEFA Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid.

He then landed in Turin on Thursday for his medical ahead of finalising his move to Italy.

Kostic joins his fellow Serbia attacker Dusan Vlahovic who signed for Juve in January, with the pair teaming up ahead of their country’s World Cup campaign this winter.

Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner lamented the loss of his star winger, but said Kostic leaves the Europa League champions as a “hero”.

“From a sporting point of view, this leaves us weaker,” the Austrian coach said on Tuesday.

“One of my eyes is smiling and one is crying. It is clear he has left his mark.”

Eintracht goalkeeper Kevin Trapp said Kostic “made history with us”.