Ajax Amsterdam Bolsters Defense with Daniele Rugani Loan from Juventus

Ajax Amsterdam has signed Italian defender Daniele Rugani on a one-season loan from Juventus. The 30-year-old brings experience to a young defense, as acknowledged by technical director Alex Kroes. Rugani is Ajax's second new signing after Bertrand Traore, following a challenging season for the club.

Ajax Amsterdam has enhanced their defensive lineup by securing Italian international Daniele Rugani on a one-season loan from Juventus, the Dutch club announced on Wednesday. Rugani, aged 30, earned seven caps for Italy between 2016 and 2018 but has recently struggled to find regular playing time at Juventus.

Technical director Alex Kroes emphasized the value of Rugani's experience for Ajax's young defense. "His arrival means a boost in experience for our relatively young defence," Kroes explained. "This way the team will be better balanced." Rugani follows Bertrand Traore as Ajax's second new signing, joining from Villarreal.

The transfer comes after Ajax weathered a difficult season, sinking to the league's bottom before fighting back to a fifth-place finish. Under new Italian coach Francesco Farioli, Ajax narrowly defeated Panathinaikos of Greece in the Europa League third qualifying round and lost to NAC Breda in a recent match.

(With inputs from agencies.)