Hellas Verona secure Caleb Ekuban as free-agent striker signs through 2028

Ghanaian-Italian forward Caleb Ekuban has joined Hellas Verona from Genoa on a free transfer, completing his move to the Serie B club and signing a contract running until 30 June 2028.

The 32-year-old centre-forward’s switch was completed on 1 September 2026, taking him from Serie A to Verona. Ekuban was born in Villafranca di Verona and holds both Ghanaian and Italian nationality.

Ekuban leaves Genoa after joining the club from Trabzonspor in August 2021 for a fee of €2.6m. He spent the previous part of his career in Turkey, where he made 83 Super Lig appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 12 assists.

His time with Trabzonspor also brought silverware. Ekuban helped the club win the Turkish Cup in the 2019-20 season and the Turkish Super Cup in 2020-21. He was also named Player of the Tournament in the 2020-21 campaign.

The striker has made 108 appearances in Serie A during his career, scoring 10 goals and registering nine assists. His record also includes 14 appearances and two goals in Serie B, while he has represented clubs in Italy, England, Turkey and Albania.

Ekuban began his senior career within the Chievo Verona system before gaining experience through loan spells at Sudtirol, Lumezzane and Renate. He later moved permanently to Leeds in July 2017 for €560,000 and spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Trabzonspor before making that transfer permanent the following summer for €1m.

At 1.82m tall and naturally right-footed, Ekuban gives Verona an established centre-forward with experience across Italy’s professional divisions and European competition. He has also scored four goals in six Europa League qualifying appearances and has featured in Champions League qualifying.

The move brings his career back to Verona, the area where he was born, while giving Hellas a forward who has played extensively in Serie A and Serie B. Ekuban’s transfer from Genoa was completed as a free move, with his new Hellas Verona contract lasting until June 2028.