At 41 years of age, and after just one season in France with Paris Saint-Germain, a Bianconeri legend is back on the books of the Serie A champion once again.
Gianluigi Buffon is a Juventus player once more, with the legendary goalkeeper having completed a return to Turin on a one-year contract. He is back with the Bianconeri after a solitary season in France with Ligue 1 title holders Paris Saint-Germain.
An emotional farewell had been bid to Juventus and an adoring fan base at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, Buffon, with no fresh terms agreed at the Allianz Stadium, walked away from the Serie A champions after 17 memorable years. Just 12 months later, he is back.
An iconic figure is now 41 years of age, but there is no desire on his part to hang up his gloves just yet. Juventus are happy to buy into his vast experience and strong ties to the club once more. Sources close to the deal suggest that Buffon has committed to a contract worth a basic €1.5 million plus bonuses. He has been returned to familiar surroundings to fill back-up duties behind Wojciech Szczesny.
That represents a role reversal for a man who departed a year ago as the undisputed number one back to Buffon, however, approaching the end of a glittering playing career and accepts that he must now adopt a supporting post.
He has no qualms with that, having talked up the qualities of Szczesny as his successor when departing Turin. A spell with PSG did not play out as the former Parma custodian had hoped, with just 25 appearances taken in across all competitions.
Buffon did, however, help the French giants to title glory, meaning that major honours have been collected with every side he has represented. That includes the Italian national side, with a man who has 176 caps to his name having tasted World Cup glory back in 2006.
He will be hoping that there are more entries on a distinguished CV to come in 2019-2020 session. Buffon’s previous spell with Juve saw him won nine Serie A titles and four Coppas Italia.
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