Mario Mandzukic has joined Juventus from Atletico Madrid for £13.6m.
The Croatian striker signed for Atletico Madrid from Bayern Munich last summer and has scored 20 goals in 43 games for the Madrid club after completing and successfully passing his medicals.
It is believed his fee could rise to £15m after the 29-year-old striker agreed a four year deal to move to Turin.
“I like Juventus and I like the city [Turin]. I hope I will be happy here. I will fight for my new team,” he said.
With rumours about the departure of Carlos Tevez growing stronger each day, Mandzukic could be the man to replace the 20-goal striker, who was prolific in the Serie A last season.
Mandzukic joined Bayern Munich after their defeat in the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea. He also made the move to the Spanish capital after Atletico Madrid lost in the Champions League final to Real Madrid. This will be the third time he moves to a club that just suffered defeat in the UEFA Champions League Final. His new club Juventus, lost by three goals to one in last season’s Champions League final against Barcelona.
Juventus, who were second best to a strong Barcelona side in Champions League final will be looking to strengthen the side and compete with the best again next season. Mandzukic helped Bayern Munich to Champions league success in 2013 against Borussia Dortmund with a goal that put the Bavarians ahead in the game.
The Croatian’s arrival might mean some strikers in Turin might be on their way out of the club. Tevez is expected to return home to Argentina, while Alessandro Matri or Fernando Llorente might have to find themselves new clubs.
Mandzukic is a proven goal scorer and looks a good signing for Juventus, but whether or not he is the man to lead the team to another level remains to be seen next season.
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