Kaio Jorge says patellar tendon injury cost him Juventus future, eyes Serie A return

Kaio Jorge rues injury-hit Juventus spell

Former Juventus striker Kaio Jorge believes he would still be at the club if not for the serious injury that wrecked his time in Turin, and says he is ready to return to Italy.

Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio via EuropaCalcio, the Brazilian reflected on his spell with the Bianconeri which was cut short when he ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee playing for the Under-23s in February 2022.

"In five months at Juve I played less than I expected. I hoped to get at least 20 minutes a game, because I was always training at my best during the week and scoring in friendlies," he said. "The injury definitely affected my path in Turin."

From Santos to Turin and back to Brazil

Kaio Jorge joined Juventus from Santos as a 19-year-old in 2021. After a long recovery and a loan spell at Frosinone in 2023-24, he joined Cruzeiro permanently in June 2024 and has rebuilt his career in Brazil.

"I remain very attached to the club, which helped me through the difficult period of the injury and believed in me, allowing me to realise my dream of playing in Europe," he explained. "Now I'd be ready to come back to Italy, maybe even to Juve. Today I'd do much better."

Timing with Serie A demand

His comments come at an awkward time for Luciano Spalletti, who has 16 players injured and is short of options in attack. Juventus are expected to look for a striker in January, although there is no sign yet of a move for the former Bianconeri forward.