On Monday, July 29, Arsenal formally unveiled Riccardo Calafiori as their newest signing. The 22-year-old Italy worldwide has joined the membership from Serie A aspect Bologna for a reported €50 million ($54.17 million) charge, inclusive of add-ons. Calafiori has signed a five-year cope with the Gunners.
Earlier than Calafiori, Arsenal had solely signed David Raya, who had made his mortgage transfer everlasting for a €32 million ($34.67 million) charge.
Who Is Arsenal Newboy Riccardo Calafiori?
Story So Far
Concluding weeks of negotiations, Calafiori has formally turn out to be an Arsenal participant, and we imagine followers have each proper to really feel enthusiastic about their latest participant.
Calafiori started his skilled profession at AS Roma. After coming by the youth system, Calafiori joined the primary crew in September 2020, aged 18. Nonetheless, his improvement derailed resulting from a critical knee harm, and he couldn’t win again his place at Roma. After a mortgage spell at Genoa, Calafiori left completely for FC Basel in August 2022.
In his solely season at Basel, Calafiori performed in 38 video games in all competitions, scoring as soon as and offering three assists. The next summer season, Bologna got here searching for the versatile defender and lapped him up for €24.5 million ($26.55 million).
In his debut season, Calafiori emerged as a number one determine on the again, delivering exceptional performances on cue. He additionally proved to be a menace within the opposition field and ended the season with two targets and 5 assists in 30 video games. Calafiori’s heroics helped Bologna end fifth within the Serie A rankings and qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the primary time in 60 years.
Due to his performances for Bologna, Calafiori acquired a chance to symbolize Italy within the UEFA EURO 2024. The defender carried out admirably, claiming an help in 4 video games, earlier than the Azzurri exited the competitors within the Spherical of 16.
Enjoying Type
Calafiori is a flexible defender, able to enjoying each as a center-back and a left-back. In actual fact, he strictly performed as a left-back at AS Roma earlier than thriving as a left-center-back for Bologna.
He has an abundance of tempo, likes to shoot, and has an eye fixed for taking part in the ultimate move. With 5 assists to his identify, Calafiori completed because the joint-most inventive center-back within the 2023-24 season.
Calafiori is good with the ball at his ft and has a penchant for making runs down the center. By drawing defenders towards him, the defender opens up house for his teammates to run into. He additionally likes to press excessive up the pitch and has the velocity to drop down quickly throughout opposition counter-attacks.
Attributable to his enjoying model, Calafiori has been in comparison with Manchester Metropolis defender John Stones. In regards to the comparisons, the Italian stated (by way of ESPN):
“Stones is my reference. His model of play is closest to mine. It’s not off-the-cuff after I go into midfield. It’s following the rules of the coach. He noticed me on this position. I’ve realized oceans off him.”
What Has Mikel Arteta Mentioned About Riccardo Calafiori?
Arteta is ecstatic to lastly have Calafiori in his ranks and is anticipating nice issues for him. On the No. 33’s unveiling ceremony, Arteta stated (by way of Arsenal.com):
“Riccardo is an enormous character and character, with particular expertise which can make us stronger as we push to win main trophies. He has already proven nice improvement in current seasons along with his performances for each Bologna and Italy, along with his development and improvement previously yr being actually spectacular.
“We’re trying ahead to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him within the years to return.”
Calafiori has traveled to the US to hitch his teammates for Arsenal’s pre-season tour. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if Arteta palms him his debut within the pleasant conflict with Liverpool on July 30.
