OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Juventus sell Neto to Valencia

Norberto Murara Neto will no longer be Gigi Buffon’s backup. It was announced today that he has signed a contract with Valencia which will see him in Spain until 2021.

It was reported late last week that both Watford and Valencia showed an interest in the Brazilian keeper, but Neto preferred the Spanish side. Turns out they were right.

The official details from Juventus’ official website are as follows:

Turin, 7 July 2017 - Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that an agreement has been finalized with Valencia Club de Futbol SAD for the definitive disposal of the registration rights of the player Murara Neto Norberto for a consideration of € 6 million to be paid in four football seasons. The consideration may increase of a maximum € 1 million on achieving given conditions in the course of the duration of the contract.

The economic effect is positive for about € 4.6 million.

So the transfer fees comes in at a little less than what was being reported. Valencia reports his contract will run until 2021 and has an € 80 million buyout clause.

This is the second time Juventus have dealt with Valencia in recent months, as Neto will be joining Simone Zaza at the Spanish side that finished 12th place last season in a wildly disappointing campaign which saw them closer to relegation than European qualification. It seems he will be fighting for playing time with Diego Alves, which is probably easier than taking on Buffon.

Juventus acquired Neto from Fiorentina in the summer of 2015 on a free transfer as his contract expired. He was their first-choice keeper for two years in the Europa League and Serie A, and was widely regarded as one of the league’s better keepers.

His time at Juve could be described as ‘dependable’. Never would he be even thought to start in front of Gigi Buffon in an important match, but if the guy needed some rest in a league match his presence between the posts wouldn’t scare anyone.

His highlights in a black and white jersey came during the Coppa Italia. Neto played every minute of the Coppa Italia in both campaigns and claimed victory both times. Considering this is likely the toughest thing he was asked to do and he went 2-for-2 in this category, that’s enough for me to consider his time at Juventus a success.

Enjoy Spain, Neto. Hope you get some more playing time over there.