Calafiori officially joins Arsenal from Bologna

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has completed his transfer to Arsenal from Bologna in a deal worth almost 54 million dollars, the Premier League club shared today.

🔴⚪️🫂 “It’s real!”, Mikel Arteta told Riccardo Calafiori as soon as he met him in the US pre season tour.

Arsenal manager has been pushing for months to bring in Calafiori, strongly wanted. pic.twitter.com/ii3qOIckN7

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2024

Riccardo has inked a 5-year deal and flew to join his teammates in Philadelphia as Mikel Arteta’s side continues their preseason tour of the USA. The defender will wear the number 33.

Rumors are that multiple bids were made by other teams in July, with the Old Lady among the clubs showing serious interest, but Riccardo’s choice was always to join the Gunners after discussions with technical director Edu and the head coach Arteta.

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Calafiori (22) was a crucial part of Bologna’s last campaign as they secured the UCL spot for the 1^st time in 60 years.

“We worked a lot as a team to make this transfer reality and we welcome Riccardo to the Emirates,” Arsenal sporting director shared.

Riccardo, who started his career at AS Roma, leaves Bologna after just 1 campaign at the team.

Benvenuto, Riccardo Calafiori 🇮🇹

Meeting new teammates for the very first time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JbUhqOBCMN

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 29, 2024