Despite nearing his mid forties and potentially retiring from football, Gianluigi Buffon joins Parma instead on a two year deal after leaving Juventus.
Gianluigi Buffon Joins Parma
Retirement Plans Put on Hold
Buffon rejoined Juventus in 2019 after he had spent one season at French giants Paris Saint Germain but announced in May that he would again being leaving the club with many believing this was going to be his retirement from the game he has graced for so many years.
Return to Parma
Buffon will be finishing his career at the club where it all started in 1995, 26 years ago, Parma. The deal will see Buffon remain at Parma until the end of the 2022/23 season.
He played just 14 matches in all competitions for Juventus in the 2020/21 season, conceding nine goals as well as keeping six clean sheets as a back up to former Arsenal stopper Wojciech Szczęsny
Buffon made his debut for Parma when he was 17 years of age in November 1995 and played 220 games before Juve bought him for £45 million in 2001 which was a then record fee for a goalkeeper.
He helped the club win the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup, delivering 85 clean sheets. Parma were relegated from Serie A last season so Buffon’s experience will be welcome as he tries to help the club return to the top league in Italy at the first attempt.
Gianluigi Buffon: Juventus Legend
Buffon will always be a legend at Juventus, especially after his first spell in Turin between 2001 and 2018 when he made 656 appearances and picked up an incredible nine Serie A titles with only Alessandro Del Piero having played in more matches for Juventus.
In his illustrious career, Buffon has won a total of 27 trophies at club level. Buffon even won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and remains the country’s most capped player with 176 appearances.
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