Juventus had briefly announced the transfer on their own website before withdrawing the news within minutes, sparking speculation over a possible issue with the deal, but Racing confirmed the move a few days later.
Pedro Felipe de Jesus Gomes was born in Itajuipe, in the Brazilian state of Bahia, on 23 May 2004, and began his professional career in the youth ranks of Vitoria before joining Palmeiras in 2022, where he won the Copa do Brasil and the Under-20 Campeonato Paulista. The 1.90m, 86kg defender signed for Juventus in 2024 to play for the Italian club's reserve side, making 34 appearances and scoring twice, before making his Serie A debut last season on loan at Sassuolo, first featuring against Hellas Verona on 20 February.
The move continues a recent pattern of business between the two clubs, with Racing having already signed Uruguayan defender Facundo Gonzalez from Juventus on a permanent deal after a season on loan at the Cantabrian club, during which he was a key figure in their promotion campaign.
Racing Santander are also closing in on making Pablo Ramon's return permanent, with the Balearic centre-back set to sign a four-year contract after impressing on loan from Espanyol last season, when he played a key role in the club's promotion to the top flight. The moves form part of a concerted effort by Racing to strengthen their defensive options as they prepare for a return to LaLiga's top division.
Pedro Felipe arrives as one of several young defenders Racing have targeted this summer to build a squad capable of competing in the top flight over the coming seasons, with his height and physical profile seen as a good fit for the demands of Spanish top-flight football. The fee for the transfer has not been officially confirmed by either club, though Spanish reports have suggested a price in the region of €500,000.
The defender's path to Racing has been unconventional, having initially joined Juventus's Next Gen side in Serie C on loan from Palmeiras before the Italian club exercised an option to sign him permanently, eventually loaning him into Serie A proper with Sassuolo last season.
That loan gave him regular senior football in Europe for the first time, with his composure and physical presence drawing enough interest for Racing to move once it became clear Juventus were open to a permanent sale.