Veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is on the verge of signing a deal with his boyhood club Parma on a two-year deal until 2023. Buffon will be leaving Juventus as a free agent once his contract expires at the end of June.
Buffon confirmed last month that he will leave Juventus at the end of the season for the second time in three years. He previously left Juventus in 2018 for PSG but came back Turin after playing in Paris for just one season. Buffon has been Wojciech Szczesny’s backup since rejoining Juventus. The player’s next step was unknown as the 43-year-old was considering retirement from professional football this year but it looks like he wants to complete the circle by playing for the club where he started his career.
Gigi Buffon confirms that he’s “not retiring” and he’ll continue to play football next season. He’s joining Parma in Italian 2nd division, here we go confirmed! 🏁🧤
Amazing comeback where he started his career 26 years ago. Contract set to be signed until June 2023. 🇮🇹 #Buffon pic.twitter.com/Nv8ah03R7Y
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2021
Parma is set to play in Serie B after finishing last in Serie A last season. Buffon was part of the club’s youth ranks. After his senior debut in 1005, Buffon went on to make 168 appearances for Parma. He eventually left his boyhood club to join Juventus for then world-record fee for a goalkeeper(€51.956 million) .
The 2006 World Cup winner has won all the domestic championships during his 18-year stint at Juventus. Despite all the success in Italy, the goalkeeper has been unlucky when it comes to Champions League despite playing in three finals.
Buffon is arguably one of the best goalkeepers of all time and also has numerous personal records to his name. He has played 683 games for Juventus, securing the second-highest appearances for the club, and is also one of the very few players in world football to cross over 1000 appearances at the professional level.
After signing for Juventus for the second time, he reportedly earned $85,000 per week. With all the bonuses, it takes his annual income up to $5 million. The Italian goalkeeper will have to take a pay cut to join Parma. Buffon reportedly dreams of becoming the third-choice goalkeeper for Italy in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. His move to his boyhood club would be a memorable transfer. The veteran shot-stopper will be looking to round off an outstanding career by helping Parma to get back in Serie A.