OFFICIAL: Arsenal complete signing of Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal, a team in the Premier League, has successfully finalised the acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori, a centre-back from Italy.The 22-year-old Italian national, who has been the subject of interest from Juventus and Chelsea in recent months, has been swiftly acquired by Arsenal. The Gunners have successfully negotiated a deal with Bologna for this highly talented defender.

A declaration on Arsenal’s official website verified the information:

Riccardo Calafiori, a player from the Italian national team, has recently signed a long-term contract with our club after transferring from Bologna, a team in the Serie A league.

The 22-year-old defender was part of the Azzurri team during Euro 2024, following a season marked by remarkable displays in Bologna’s defensive line.

Riccardo commenced his professional journey in the junior academy of Roma, dedicating a span of 12 years to honing his skills and progressing from the youth ranks to the senior team. Throughout his tenure, he acquired significant expertise while being temporarily assigned to Genoa, a fellow Italian club, for the 2021/22 season.

In August 2022, the promising defender, who has played for his national team in all age categories, transferred to Swiss club Basel, where he consistently played and participated in 26 league matches that season. Due to his exceptional performances, the skilled defender was able to return to his home country and join Bologna in August 2023.

Riccardo was a prominent player in their defensive line last season, establishing himself as one of the most formidable and reliable performances in Serie A. He played a crucial role in assisting ‘I Rossoblu’ in achieving an incredible fifth position and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years. Riccardo’s exceptional and forceful displays were not only acknowledged with his selection for the Euros, but also by his triumph as the Serie A Player of the Month for May 2024.