Lloyd Kelly: Juventus Defender’s journey from Foster Care to the Champions League

It’s a prospect that felt even more lost a year ago.

Kelly admitted his move to Newcastle did not go “the way he wanted it to” after he joined Bournemouth on a free transfer in June 2024.

Such is the form of Dan Brourd and Lewis Hall, who play Kelly’s preferred positions on the left side of the center of the side and he has yet to make a handful of starts at Newcastle.

“As a player, you want to come in, show what you can do and play consistent football,” he said.

“But I didn’t bring anything bad to Newcastle. They gave me a chance to grow and play at a very good club.”

Instead it shows the more “unbelievable” situation that he experienced in the PART of St James’.

He also “proudly stood alongside” the players who went on to end Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the CUBRAOO CUP.

Kelly has moved on before, but he started in the wins against AFC Wimbledon and Chelsea in the early stages and came off the bench in Arsenal’s Semi-Final Tra-le victory.

Just as a medal was recently sent to the forward Miguel Almiron to mark his contribution – the Paraguayan also left the window in the middle, for Atlanta United, one towards Kelly.

The centre-back clearly remains on good terms with head coach Eddie Howe, who he previously brought to Bournemouth before signing for Newcastle.

“The amount of players who played under him and the top improved,” he said. “I always held him.”

Kelly is not shy about how he found himself walking into the Juventus dressing room for the first time.

This is a space where defensive giants like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chielelini once sat.

And now Kelly is following in their footsteps.

“I’ve come a long way,” he said. “You could say I’m just getting started.”