Tudor reveals when new Juventus signing Zhegrova could feature after 9-month injury lay-off

Igor Tudor has confirmed that new signing Edon Zhegrova is not expected to be immediately available for Juventus following his nine-month injury lay-off, but has hinted at when Bianconeri supporters might get to see their deadline day recruit on the pitch for the first time. 

Zhegrova joined Juventus on the final day of the summer transfer window at a cost of €18m including bonuses, joining alongside Lois Openda, who also joined the Old Lady on deadline day. 

The Kosovan, however, has not played competitively since December 2024 as a result of a serious adductor injury, which kept him out of the whole second half of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. 

Juventus were not put off by the player’s medical history, and decided to proceed in a deal with Lille regardless. 

Tudor reveals when Zhegrova could make Juventus debut

Tudor, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Derby d’Italia against fierce rivals Inter this weekend, hinted at when Zhegrova might feature competitively for Juventus. 

“Two players have arrived to help us. Openda right away, Edon not immediately because he’s coming off a long period without playing,” Tudor said. 

“Now he needs to regain fitness, build strength, legs and lungs. He won’t be called up for the next two games; then, from Verona, we’ll gradually bring him into the squad.” 

Juventus’s next two matches fall against Inter in Serie A, and then against Borussia Dortmund in the first round of the Champions League league phase. Both fixtures will be played in Turin. 

The next game after that will come away against Hellas Verona in Serie A on September 20, which is when Tudor hinted Zhegrova might start to be bled into the Juve first-team.