Jonathan David, Canada’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer, has officially joined Serie A powerhouse Juventus on a five-year deal, becoming the first male Canadian international to sign for the Turin-based club.
The 25-year-old striker, who spent the past five seasons lighting up Ligue 1 with Lille, arrives in Italy as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with the French side.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reports that David’s deal is worth €6 million ($7 million CAD) per season, with an additional €2 million ($2.4 million CAD) in performance-related bonuses.
Juventus – a club that has won 36 Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies – will also pay €12.5 million in commissions and signing fees to finalize the transfer.
“Growing up as a kid, I always looked up to a club like Juventus and thought, this is probably one of the top 10 biggest clubs in the world,” David said in his first interview with Juventus’s official site. “So for me to be sitting here today is an honour.”
David’s arrival marks the first marquee move under new general manager Damien Comolli, as Juventus begin a new era under head coach Igor Tudor.
With Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic reportedly on the way out after falling out of favour, the Bianconeri have moved swiftly to bolster their attack.
The Canadian forward brings a blend of clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and a proven goalscoring record that makes him a tailor-made fit for Juventus’s ambitions.
A prolific rise from Ottawa to the world stage
David’s rise to the elite levels of European football has been both meteoric and methodical. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he moved to Haiti as an infant before settling in Ottawa at age six.
There, he began his soccer journey with local clubs Gloucester Dragons, Ottawa Gloucester SC, and Ottawa Internationals.
In 2017, a video clip of a teenage David caught the attention of a scout from Belgian side KAA Gent. After a successful trial and completing high school, David moved to Europe full-time, eventually signing his first professional contract at 18.
He scored on his league debut for Gent in August 2018 — the first of many goals that would follow.
Just two years later, he secured a record-breaking €30 million transfer to Lille, becoming the most expensive Canadian player in history at the time, eclipsing Alphonso Davies’ move to Bayern Munich.
During his five-year stint in France, David netted 109 goals in 231 appearances for Lille, helping them win the Ligue 1 title in 2020–21.
Last season alone, he contributed 25 goals and 12 assists in 49 matches across all competitions, making him one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.
Since the 2020–21 season, he is the only player aside from Kylian Mbappe to have scored 10 or more goals in each of the last five seasons. His 87 league goals in that span rank second only to Mbappe’s 111.
He led Ligue 1 last season with 16 converted clear-cut chances, ranked third in total goal involvements (37), and was one of just three forwards alongside Ousmane Dembele and Mason Greenwood to have at least 15 goals and five assists.
A new Canadian chapter in Turin
Nicknamed “The Iceman” for his cool demeanour in front of goal, David now takes his talents to Italy’s top flight, where he becomes the first Canadian to wear the iconic black-and-white stripes of one of the most decorated clubs in world football.
“I’m very excited,” David said of his move to Serie A.
“Every step of the way is always a challenge, so coming to Serie A is also a challenge — to adapt to the league, to my teammates, and to be as successful as possible.”
While he’s not the first Canadian to play in Serie A, David’s high-profile move marks a new milestone for the country’s global football presence.
His Canadian compatriot, Tajon Buchanan, became the first Canadian to play in Serie A after his transfer from Brugge to Inter Milan in 2024.
“It feels good,” David said. “I am trying to pave the way for other Canadians who have the talent to one day do the same things I am doing now.”
David’s commitment to Canada was on full display during the recent Concacaf Gold Cup, where he logged significant minutes despite being out of contract. Risking injury could have derailed his impending transfer.
He also played a key role in the nation’s qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup — their first men’s appearance since 1986.
“He’s the smartest player I’ve ever coached,” said Canada head coach Jesse Marsch. “His understanding of what’s happening in the game and how to move to help the team is at a really high level.”
With the 2025–26 season approaching, Jonathan David will now head out for pre-season training with Juventus and all eyes will be on The Iceman as he takes on Serie A.
