New Delhi: Riccardo Calafiori has moved from Bologna to Arsenal for £42 m, including add-ons. The 22-year-old had started in all of Italy’s group games during Euro 2024 and has now signed a deal with Mikel Arteta’s team for five years. As part of the side, Calafiori has already joined his teammates in Philadelphia. During the start of the summer, he had generated interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus before signing with the Gunners.
Calafiori enjoyed a wonderful stint with Bologna and helped the side to their first Champions League appearance. His recent exploits in Euro 2024, especially providing Mattia Zaccagni with an assist in the 98th minute against Croatia, have put him into the spotlight. His career is far away from the knee injury that threatened his playing future six years ago.
Making us stronger 💪
All the lowdown on our Riccardo Calafiori signing 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 29, 2024
In eight months, he was dropped from Roma to Genoa and then to Basel. After steadying his feet in Switzerland, he could move to Serie A with Bologna in 2023. From there, Calafiori has been on an upward curve. One of the obvious changes in his fortunes over the last 12 months is his change of position in the field. Until very recently, he was considered a left-back. When he came to Basel, he was tried in the centre defence, and the results were immediately astonishing.
The position suited him and earned him a move to Bologna, where he had five assists, the joint most of any centre-back in Europe’s top five leagues. After playing the entire campaign at the centre of defence, Calafiori caught the eye of Italian manager Luciano Spalletti, who put him in the starting role and shifted Allesandro Bastoni.
💬 “I don’t want to say too much, I don’t like to speak, I like to play. For sure, they [our supporters] will see on the pitch what I can do well.”
Love that, Riccardo ❤️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 29, 2024
Arsenal would benefit from the move because of the former Roma defender’s positional versatility. Arteta has always preferred defenders who can play more than one position. Players like Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jurren Timber have shown their ability to play across the defensive line. With Gabriel and William Saliba bringing a lot of success in the middle of last season, Calafiori may drop into two positions: left centre-back and left-back.
Arteta has already called Calafiori a “great signing,” and he believes his skills will help the club aspire to major trophies. He further noted that Calafiori’s recent seasons and performances with Bologna and Italy were quite impressive and that they look forward to fitting the former Roma defender in the Arsenal mix. Calafiori himself said that he was looking forward to the season. With Bologna, Calafiori made 30 appearances last season, scoring twice and five assists as the club finished fifth in the Champions League. Arsenal will hope he can continue his form after a fantastic Euro 2024 campaign.
The Bologna defender comes to The Gunners after an impressive stint in Serie A and Euro 2024. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
