Dutch centre-back Danilho Doekhi has arrived in Rome to complete his transfer to Lazio. The 28-year-old landed in the Italian capital on Sunday afternoon to undergo medical examinations ahead of signing for the Serie A club.
Doekhi joins as a free agent after allowing his contract with Bundesliga side Union Berlin to expire on 30 June. He is expected to sign a deal keeping him at the Stadio Olimpico until June 2029, securing his services for the next three seasons.
Defensive reinforcements required
Lazio are actively seeking to strengthen their backline following a series of recent departures. The club confirmed the sale of defender Mario Gila to rivals Milan earlier this summer, removing a key squad member from their defensive ranks and leaving a gap in the rotation.
Additionally, club captain Alessio Romagnoli has reportedly agreed terms with Al-Sadd, though that transfer has not yet been finalised according to available reports. These concurrent exits have left the squad with limited experienced options at centre-back, creating an urgent requirement for reinforcements before the new campaign begins in earnest.
The addition of Doekhi provides immediate cover in central defence. His arrival on a free transfer allows the club to allocate financial resources elsewhere in the squad whilst addressing a key positional requirement within the first-team setup.
From Amsterdam to Rome via Berlin
Doekhi began his professional career in the Netherlands, coming through the renowned youth system at Ajax before establishing himself in senior football. He later moved to Vitesse, where he developed into a regular starter and gained valuable top-flight experience in the Eredivisie over several seasons.
In the summer of 2022, the defender made the switch to German football, joining Union Berlin on a free transfer after his contract with Vitesse concluded. He spent two full seasons in the Bundesliga with the capital club, participating in both domestic league action and European competitions before opting not to extend his stay beyond June this year.
His departure from Union Berlin concludes a two-year chapter in German football. Doekhi joined the club as a free agent in 2022 and saw out his contract until its natural expiry date.
Doekhi celebrated his 28th birthday earlier this month, marking the start of a new chapter in his career. He possesses established family ties to Italian football through his uncle, former AC Milan player Winston Bogarde, who enjoyed a successful spell with the Rossoneri during the late 1990s and won domestic honours with the club.
Completing the formalities
Doekhi was filmed arriving at the airport on Sunday afternoon before being transported for meetings to finalise personal terms and contract details. He is currently undergoing the necessary medical tests required to complete the transfer and obtain fitness clearance from the club doctors.
Once these medical assessments are concluded satisfactorily, he will formally sign his contract to become Lazio’s latest summer acquisition. The move represents a straightforward free transfer for the Biancocelesti, with no negotiation fee payable to a previous club due to his expired contract status, allowing the deal to proceed quickly once medical checks are passed.