Brazil Midfielder Douglas Luiz becomes Thiago Motta’s First Big Signing at Juventus

Juventus have signed Aston Villa's Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz © Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP
Juventus have signed Aston Villa's Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz © Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP
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Brazil Midfielder Douglas Luiz becomes Thiago Motta’s First Big Signing at Juventus

Juventus have signed Aston Villa's Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz © Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP
Juventus have signed Aston Villa's Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz © Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP

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.



Newcastle Hires Mitchell as Sporting Director to Replace Ashworth

Newcastle have announced the appointment of Paul Mitchell as Dan Ashworth's successor as sporting director. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Newcastle have announced the appointment of Paul Mitchell as Dan Ashworth's successor as sporting director. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
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Newcastle Hires Mitchell as Sporting Director to Replace Ashworth

Newcastle have announced the appointment of Paul Mitchell as Dan Ashworth's successor as sporting director. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Newcastle have announced the appointment of Paul Mitchell as Dan Ashworth's successor as sporting director. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Newcastle announced the appointment of Paul Mitchell as its sporting director on Thursday, replacing Dan Ashworth following his switch to Manchester United.

Mitchell has had previous roles in scouting and club development at Southampton, Tottenham, Leipzig and Monaco.

Ashworth's departure to United was finally confirmed on Monday after months of negotiations, The AP reported.

“I’ve seen the recent growth and ambition of the club," Mitchell said of Newcastle. “This, plus the amazing fanbase, made the decision to join an easy one.”

The 42-year-old Mitchell played professionally with lower-league English clubs including Wigan and MK Dons before his career was cut short by injury and he moved into off-field roles.

He was chief scout at MK Dons before moving to Southampton in 2012. He followed Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham in 2014, becoming Spurs' head of recruitment and signing players like Dele Alli and Son Heung-min.

He later joined the Red Bull group, spending time with Leipzig and New York before being appointed as Monaco's sporting director in 2020.