Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci has completed a shock switch from Serie A champions Juventus to their rivals AC Milan.
The 30-year-old, previously linked with Manchester City and Chelsea, was a key part of the Juve squad which has won the last six titles, but he has now opted for a new challenge with the Rossoneri.
Pending the successful outcome of a medical, Bonucci will sign a five-year contract at San Siro, Milan announced on Friday evening. The reported transfer fee is ā¬40 million.
A day earlier the Lazian centre-back – a 70-time Italy international – sparked intrigue among Juve fans by tweeting: “I’m ready to start over again!”
Si torna al lavoro. Pronto per ricominciare! šŖš»šŖš»ā½ / Let's get back to work. Ready to start once again! šŖš»šŖš»ā½ #LB1ā¦ https://t.co/gvfoFcW7Iq pic.twitter.com/V7BIZ0TyCN
— Leonardo Bonucci (@bonucci_leo19) July 13, 2017
Their initial faint fears were well-founded as the player for so long part of a solid three-man defence alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli has departed the Allianz Stadium in dramatic fashion.
In a video published on Twitter, Bonucci was seen arriving at the Casa Milan headquarters at around 2pm local time on Friday, with his car greeted by around 200 excited fans as it drove past.
It marks a return to San Siro for Bonucci, who began his career with Milan’s foes Inter, but he made only one substitute appearance in the league along with a handful of Coppa Italia matches.
šš» @bonucci_leo19 at #CasaMilan pic.twitter.com/p4T1CufZK7
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 14, 2017
He had loan spells at Serie B sides Treviso and Pisa before he joined Genoa in 2009. However, he was almost immediately transferred to Bari in a co-ownership deal.
He was ever-present in his one season with Bari, forming a strong central-defensive partnership with Andrea Ranocchia, before being snapped up by Juve.
It is the latest move in an ambitious summer of recruitment by Milan’s new Chinese owners, who have already funded the purchases of Andre Silva, Ricardo Rodriguez, Hakan Calhanoglu, Andrea Conti, Mateo Musacchio, Franck Kessie and Fabio Borini.
Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia is expected to follow and the club have even been linked with Borussia Dortmund’s prolific striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Provided by Press Association Sport
