Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Italy international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of up to £42m including add-ons.
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Italy international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of up to £42m including add-ons.
The 22-year-old was a crucial player for Bologna last season, helping the Serie A team secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 60 years.
His impressive performances for I Rossoblu last term earned him a spot in Italy’s squad for Euro 2024 where he excelled, starting all three of their group stage matches.
The Italian becomes the second confirmed signing for the Gunners this summer after the club activated their option-to-buy clause for David Raya from Brentford.
Calafiori put pen to paper on a five-year contract and was immediately flown out to join up with his new teammates, who are on a pre-season tour in the US.
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Calafiori admits joining the Gunners is a dream come true
After linking up with Mikel Arteta and his new team in Philadelphia, the 22-year-old expressed his joy in becoming a Gunner and finally getting a taste of life in English football.
In his first interview as an Arsenal player, the Italian said: “It feels amazing. It was tough until now, but finally we’re here and I cannot wait to start to train with the team and play for the fans.
“It’s actually been my dream since I was 12 or 13 years old, because I can see the level of the league here and the best players in the world, for me, play here. It’s a dream and not only for me, but for everybody.”
His former club also took a moment to wish him well and thank him for his services during his time at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
“Thank you Richy, you were one of the key figures in this historic season. Good luck with your new adventure,” Bologna wrote on social media.
The club also released a concise statement on their website, which read: “Bologna FC 1909 announces that it has sold the performance rights of defender Riccardo Caladiori to Arsenal FC on a permanent basis.”
The versatile new signing then shared a heartfelt embrace with Arteta shortly after the briefing and was captured on camera asking, “Is this real?”
A smiling Arteta replied, “It’s real. It’s real. Finally, it’s real.”
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What will Calafiori bring to Arsenal?
Calafiori began his career as a left-back with the ability to advance forward, but under Bologna boss Thiago Motta – who has since moved to Juventus – he mostly played as a central defender.
The Gunners were not the only side that were in the running for the 22-year-old, though, with Juventus and Chelsea believed to be among the other teams that were interested in him.
At Arsenal, he could compete with centre-back Gabriel or left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko for a spot, as the club views him as a potential option for both positions.
Arteta’s side are aiming to challenge for their first Premier League title in 21 years following second-place finishes in each of the last two seasons.
Additional transfers are anticipated before the window closes, with Arteta believed to be looking for a new central midfielder to partner Declan Rice in the Gunners’ engine room.