Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has signed a one-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. The 40-year-old has the option of a further year with the Ligue 1 side.
According to Sky Sports, Buffon, who spent 17 years with Juventus, told the club’s official website: “It is with a great feeling of happiness that I join Paris St Germain”. “For the first time in my career, I am leaving my country and only a project this ambitious could have encouraged me to make such a decision.”
Club president, Nasser Al- Khelaifi, said: “The immensity of his career, as well as his ambitious personality, unifying and elegant, make him one of the most admired and respected players in world football”. Buffon will be officially presented as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Monday. On that night, as with Neymar when he joined last summer, the Eiffel Tower will be illuminated with the club’s colors and with Buffon’s picture.
Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 for $61 million - still a record fee for a goalkeeper - and has enjoyed a glittering career, having won the World Cup, the Europa League and numerous Serie A and Coppa Italia titles.
The Champions League has so far eluded him, however, and the union may be beneficial for both sides following two consecutive exits by PSG in the round of 16.
Italy’s most-capped player, Buffon has also made the second-most appearances in Serie A history behind AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and has won a staggering collection of individual accolades.
He also finished in second in the Ballon d’Or in 2006 and has won 12 Serie A goalkeeper of the year awards.
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