Tuesday marked the final day of service for both Juan Jesus and Eljif Elmas at Napoli, as their contracts with the club concluded.
Brazilian defender Juan Jesus departs as a free agent. Meanwhile, Eljif Elmas returns to RB Leipzig, the club that retains his registration following his loan spell in Naples.
Aurelio De Laurentiis’s club expressed their gratitude with heartfelt tributes on their official platforms, as reported by Il Corriere dello Sport. Juan Jesus, who joined in August 2021, leaves after 130 appearances, having played a significant role in the team’s recent successes.
Napoli’s Farewell Messages for Juan Jesus and Elmas
“SSC Napoli thanks and bids farewell to Juan Jesus, whose contract with the club has come to an end,” the official statement read. “Our sincerest thanks go to Juan Jesus for his professionalism, self-sacrificing spirit, and loyalty to the shirt demonstrated throughout his time in Naples.”
Accompanying an emotional video, the club shared the fitting message: “Five seasons, one way to live them: with heart. Thank you, Juan.” For Elmas, concluding his second period in Naples, Napoli simply wrote: “Naples will always be with you. Good luck, Elif.”
Juan Jesus concludes his Napoli journey with 130 appearances, five goals, and two assists. He featured in 35 matches across all competitions last season and was part of the squads that won two Scudetti titles and the Supercoppa Italiana in December.
Elmas, in his most recent campaign, made 44 appearances, scoring once in 33 league games. Considering his initial spell from 2019 to 2024, the North Macedonia midfielder departs having played 233 games for Napoli, scoring 20 goals and providing 15 assists.