Juventus Sign Marko Pjaca

Juventus have confirmed the signing of Marko Pjaca, the exciting young Croatian international midfielder signing a five-year deal with the Italian champions that expires in 2021.

A statement by the Turin giants, who secured a fifth consecutive championship last season, said: “Juventus Football Club announces the transfer of Marko Pjaca from Dinamo Zagreb.”

Dinamo will receive a “23m euro transfer fee, payable in two instalments,” added the statement.

He arrives as Juve are negotiating with Manchester United over a potential world record transfer for their France star Paul Pogba to Old Trafford.

Pjaca, 21, came to the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs at Euro 2016, where his average dribbling statistics were second only to Welsh forward Gareth Bale and Belgium star Eden Hazard.

Juventus are currently on a tour of Australia but Pjaca, who will wear his usual number 20 in Turin, will only join up with the squad following a week’s rest when pre-season training resumes on July 28.

“I’m happy to have signed for such an important team. I can’t wait to join the squad, start training and get down to winning trophies,” said Pjaca.

“That’s why I joined Juventus. I want to win the Italian league title, the Cup and go as far as possible in the Champions League.”

Born in Zagreb on May 6, 1995, Pjaca has made 11 appearances for Croatia, scoring one goal, and helped his former club to two consecutive league and Cup doubles.

Over two seasons with the Croatian league giants, Pjaca scored 19 goals in 60 league appearances and scored one goal in 10 Croatian Cup games.

A versatile, right-footed midfielder who can also play in attack, Pjaca made his Euro 2016 debut when he replaced Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic late in their 1-0 opening win over Turkey.

He was an unused substitute during Croatia’s 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic, but produced a sterling performance on the wide left of midfield for Croatia when they stunned Spain 2-1 to finish top of their group.

In that game, Pjaca sent an acrobatic effort just wide of David De Gea’s goal from a rebound then had claims for a penalty waved away as Croatia continued to threaten.

In the last 16 Croatia fell to Ricardo Quaresma’s extra-time winner for Portugal, Pjaca making only a late cameo appearance in the second period of extra-time when he replaced Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic.

Juventus last season secured a record-equalling fifth consecutive title and, like Dinamo Zagreb, will be aiming for a third consecutive league and Cup double when the new season starts on August 20.