Lloyd Kelly's Journey to Juventus and His Champions League Aspirations
"I've come a long way."
Lloyd Kelly's words resonate deeply as the English defender prepares to face Real Madrid with Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Few players have traveled as far as Kelly to reach this prestigious stage.
At the age of seven, Kelly entered foster care, living with three different families alongside his siblings, Mary and Marcus, for over a decade. He has always been open about his journey.
"Fostering is something I will always be passionate about," said the 27-year-old. "I know firsthand the positive impact the foster care system can have on children. I don’t think people truly realize the difference they can make; it provides children with a sense of home, family, and purpose, which is invaluable. It allows them to experience things they might not have otherwise, and it’s a remarkable system that I will always support."
Kelly maintains a close relationship with his most recent foster mother, Thelma, who has an open invitation to visit him in Turin. He is also committed to creating a stable home for his own son.
"I want to be a role model and share my experiences and life with my family and my son as well," he added.
'The players who have played for the club is insane'
So how did Kelly find himself playing in Italy? After struggling to secure a spot in the Newcastle squad, an unexpected call from his agent offered him the chance to join Juventus during the mid-season transfer window earlier this year.
He made his debut shortly after, contributing to a 2-1 victory against Como in February. However, it was a challenging start for the club. Juventus faced elimination from the Champions League by PSV in the knockout phase and were defeated by Empoli in the Coppa Italia. The team ultimately finished 12 points behind champions Napoli in the league.
Following the sacking of manager Thiago Motta in March, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, who played a significant role in bringing Kelly to Turin, also departed a few months later. Throughout this period, Kelly was adapting to a new culture, language, and style of play, while his family remained in England.
"It’s always difficult coming to a club, especially one of this stature and with the caliber of players who have represented it," he said. "The history behind the club is immense. The players who have played here are extraordinary."
Not giving up on England
Now, Kelly believes that supporters are beginning to see the "real him." He has started all nine of Juventus’ games under coach Igor Tudor this season and has scored several crucial goals. Notably, despite conceding a penalty late in the match, he netted a dramatic equalizer in the 96th minute of a 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last month.
"At the start of my career, I never imagined I would play in the Champions League," he remarked. "Walking out and hearing the anthem gives you chills. It’s something I always aspired to, and achieving it is monumental for me."
However, Kelly is not yet satisfied. Despite England manager Thomas Tuchel having a stable squad, he has not given up hope of representing his country at the senior level. "It’s always been in my mind since I finished with the under-21s," he said. "The England squad is incredibly strong, and with the World Cup approaching, I’m focused on playing my best football and seeing where that takes me."
'I'm just getting started'
A year ago, this prospect seemed even more distant. Kelly acknowledged that his move to Newcastle did not unfold as he had hoped after joining from Bournemouth on a free transfer in June 2024. With Dan Burn and Lewis Hall excelling in his preferred positions, he made only a few league starts for Newcastle.
"As a player, you want to come in, showcase your abilities, and play consistently," he said. "But I hold no resentment towards Newcastle. They provided me with an opportunity to grow at a prestigious club."
Kelly fondly recalls the "unbelievable" atmosphere at St James’ Park and is "proud to have stood alongside" teammates who helped end Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the Carabao Cup. Although he had moved on by then, he played a role in earlier rounds against AFC Wimbledon and Chelsea, and came off the bench in the semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
Recently, a medal acknowledging his contributions was sent to forward Miguel Almiron, who also departed mid-season for Atlanta United. Kelly is also set to receive one, underscoring his positive relationship with head coach Eddie Howe, who previously brought him to Bournemouth before signing him for Newcastle.
"The number of players who have progressed under him is remarkable," he stated. "I will always hold him in high regard."
Just as he bid farewell to Howe, Kelly stepped into the Juventus dressing room, a space once occupied by defensive legends like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. Now, he is following in their footsteps.
"I’ve come a long way," he concluded. "You could say I’m just getting started."