Riccardo Calafiori: Arsenal complete deal for Italian defender from Bologna after impressive Serie A, Euro 2024
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Updated 29/07/2024 at 17:50 GMT+1
Arsenal have won the race to sign highly-rated defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna in a deal reported to be worth £33.7 million. The centre-half was a standout performer for Italy at Euro 2024 and helped his club side to their best league finish since 1971 last season. Calafiori was rumored to be on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Arsenal have signed Italy international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a reported fee of £33.7 million (€40m) plus £4.2m add-ons.
The 22-year-old centre-half was linked to a number of Premier League clubs, following a superb season in Serie A with Bologna and an equally impressive showing at Euro 2024.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were all rumoured to be interested in the young defender, who started each of Italy’s group stage matches before being suspended for the last 16 loss to Switzerland.
Calafiori made 33 appearances for Bologna in all competitions last season, helping The Rossoblu to fifth – their best league finish since 1971, while qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 1964-65 season.
“We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said in a statement.
“Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies.
"He has already shown great development in recent seasons with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, with his progression and development in the past year being really impressive.
“We’re looking forward to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him in the years to come.”
Calafiori becomes Arteta’s second signing of the summer after making goalkeeper David Raya’s loan move permanent.
The centre-half, who can also play at left-back, started his senior career at Roma, before moving to Swiss side Basel for £2.2m in 2022.
The defender has joined up with the first-team squad for their pre-season tour in the USA and could make his debut against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Calafiori truly announced himself for Italy at Euro 2024, producing three strong performances in the group stages, capped off by a spectacular assist in his side's final group match against Croatia.
The defender bolsters an Arsenal back-line which already boasted the strongest defensive record in the Premier League last season, conceding just 29 goals in 38 league matches.
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