Juventus have tied academy forward Destiny Elimoghale to the club until 30 June 2029, on the day Giovanni Carnevali spoke to shareholders about the youth sector. The 2009-born striker has already been named in a European squad while injuries stretch the first team.

The club announced Elimoghale’s renewal on 3 November. That was the same day chief executive Giovanni Carnevali addressed shareholders at the Allianz Stadium. He called for a single project covering the first team, the Next Gen and the youth sector.

Elimoghale has come through every level of the club’s academy. He has been at Juventus since childhood. This season he began playing professional football in Serie C.

Injuries opened a European door for the academy forward

The NEC fixture was the opening matchday of the Europa League league phase. Spalletti named three Next Gen players because the first team was hit by injuries, Tuttosport reported. Pagnucco and Owusu joined Elimoghale. All three were in a European squad for the first time.

Elimoghale did not get on the pitch in the comfortable win. He stayed on the bench as an unused substitute, alongside Vicario, Pinsoglio and Pagnucco.

Back in Serie C, his minutes have been mixed. In a 5-3 home defeat to Albinoleffe on the sixth matchday, he tried two long-range shots. One went just wide. Goalkeeper Baldi saved the other. At Trento on the 11th matchday, he replaced Leone in the 70th minute of a 2-1 defeat. The match came in Serie C Group A. He was among Massimo Brambilla’s unused substitutes in the 1-1 home draw with Pro Vercelli on 2 November. That matchday 12 fixture was the Next Gen’s most recent game.

Carnevali puts the youth sector back at the centre

Carnevali said the club must bring its youth sector back to the level of recent years. He added that Juventus must keep trying to improve it. Securing a home-grown forward for the long term is consistent with that message.

Carnevali confirmed a change to the UEFA squad list as well, with Ekhator replacing Locatelli.

For Elimoghale, the wider picture is a first team still short of bodies. Coaches have already turned to the Next Gen once in Europe. A new long-term deal means the club has secured one of those options.

The squad remains stretched heading into the next round of European fixtures. McKennie is suffering from muscle fatigue and will miss the Europa League trip to AZ Alkmaar. Alajbegovic and Cabal are expected to be available in the Netherlands. The trip comes with the European squad list already being reshaped.