OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Juventus sign Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny for €12.2 million

Wojciech Szczesny completed his medical AND has become a Juventus player. Apparently that first thing doesn’t always lead to the second, so I have made it clear. Wojciech Szczesny - Medical completed - Juventus player.

The club announced that the Polish goalkeeper has been acquired for a fee of €12.2 million plus another possible €3.1 million in bonuses. He has signed a contract until 2021. More details courtesy of Juventus’ Official Website:

Turin, 19 July 2017 - Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that the agreement with The Arsenal Football Club Plc for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Wojciech Szczęsny has been finalized for a consideration of € 12.2 million payable in 2 financial years.

The purchase value may increase of maximum € 3.1 million on achieving given conditions in the course of the duration of the contract.

Juventus and the player have signed a 4-year contract of employment until 30 June 2021.

Szczesny was with Arsenal for most of his career until 2015 when he lost his starting spot to David Ospina. He has since spent the last two seasons on loan at Roma, so he will be familiar with the country and league already which is a positive and he impressively played in all 38 league games last season. He had a 2-2 record against Juventus during his time at Roma, allowing 4 goals in 4 games.

By most accounts, he was one of the league’s better goalies last year and led Roma to an impressive 87 Serie A points. Let me remind you, most years that would be more than enough to win the competition.

You may think this is an unnecessary move, we’re spending too much on a backup keeper, his wages are too high, or whatever you like, but it would be really tough to argue that the quality of Juventus does not improve with this move. I feel comfortable with Szczesny playing for a significant amount of time if Buffon can’t suit up for any reason. Welcome to the club Wojciech, I’ll try really hard to spell your name properly.