Arsenal have finalized the acquisition of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a reported £42 million. The 22-year-old has penned a five-year contract with the Gunners, bolstering their defensive lineup ahead of the new season.
Calafiori, who featured in three of Italy’s four Euro 2024 matches, is known for his versatility, capable of playing both as a center-back and a left-back. His impressive performances in Serie A last season contributed significantly to Bologna’s successful campaign, where they secured a Champions League spot by finishing fifth.
In his final season with Bologna, Calafiori made 30 appearances, scoring twice and providing five assists. His solid defensive work and offensive contributions were pivotal to Bologna’s achievements, catching the eye of Arsenal’s scouting team.
The young defender has already joined Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States, where he will integrate with his new teammates and begin preparations for the upcoming season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his enthusiasm about the new signing, stating,
We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence. Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills that will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies. His development over the past year, both with Bologna and Italy, has been really impressive.
Arteta also highlighted Calafiori’s potential impact on the team, noting,
“We’re looking forward to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him in the years to come.”
With Calafiori’s arrival, Arsenal are bolstering their backline and aiming to strengthen their squad as they look to compete on both domestic and European fronts in the upcoming season. The addition of Calafiori represents a significant investment in the club’s defensive capabilities and underscores Arsenal’s ambition for the future.
