arsenal transfer news: new defender is coming from italy

OFFICIAL: Ricardo Calafiori has joined Arsenal.

Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal in a 5-year contract worth 45 million euros.

Confirming this transfer, Arsenal wrote: "This 22-year-old defender was a member of the Azzurri team in Euro 2024 after an impressive season in the heart of Bologna's defense.

Ricardo began his career at Roma's youth academy, where he spent 12 years working his way up from the youth ranks to the first team. During his time there, he was on loan at Italian side Genoa in the 2021-22 season.

In August 2022, this young defender, who has been in the national team since the youth level until today, moved to the Basel team in Switzerland and played 26 games in the country's league that season.

His quality performances led to his return to Italy and the defender was transferred to Bologna in August 2023.

Last season, Ricardo was a leading figure in the team's defense and emerged as one of the strongest players in Serie A. He played an important role in Russobel's fifth place and promotion to the Champions League for the first time in 60 years.

Ricardo's remarkable performance was completed by a call-up to the national team for Euro 2024 and he also won the Serie A Player of the Month for the month.

Arsenal have released a video of Calfiori's first meeting with the team in which Mikel Arteta asked him to say a few words in front of his new teammates.

Calafiori said in this meeting: "Of course, I am very happy to be here. I have been waiting for a long time and I hope we will do great things this year.

The defender also gave his first interview to the club's website.

"It's been hard so far, but we're finally here and I can't wait to train with the team and play for the fans," he said. It's actually been my dream since I was 12 or 13 because I get to see the league level and the best players in the world. It's a dream, not just for me, but for everyone."

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