How Lazio Overcame Transfer Ban to Sign Udinese Teenager | OneFootball

Despite the transfer ban imposed by COVISOC, Lazio were able to sign young Udinese right-back Kleo Shpuza.

The Background

The Biancocelesti are prohibited from making any new signings in the summer due to their unbalanced accounts. Therefore, they haven’t been able to bolster Maurizio Sarri’s squad, or even extend the contracts of some of their key players like Nicolo Rovella and Alessio Romagnoli, as these new deals would entail additional financial burdens.

Lazio Sign Kleo Shpuza

Nevertheless, Lazio found a way to strike an agreement with Udinese for the transfer of 18-year-old Shpuza. As Calciomercato explains, the two clubs were able to find a creative formula to work around the transfer ban. Hence, the Albanian will join the Aquile on a free loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Udinese Maintain Buy-Back Clause

The agreement also includes a buy-back option in favor of Udinese for an additional 20%. Moreover, Shpuza will sign a non-professional contract, which is plausible due to his young age. This is considered a crucial detail; otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to register him as a new player.

A Closer Look at Kleo Shpuza

Shpuza joined Udinese’s youth ranks at a tender age. Last season, he was promoted to the U20 squad, and went on to make 19 appearances in the Primavera league, mostly playing as a right-back. The teenager also has six caps with the Albania U19 team. He will be expected to bounce between Lazio’s first team and the Primavera side.