Arsenal’s new signing Riccardo Calafiori says he was satisfied about becoming a member of the membership from Bologna earlier than he’d even spoken to Mikel Arteta and Edu, however his choice was reaffirmed by a powerful push from new teammate Jorginho.
The 22-year-old has signed a long-term contract on the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal agreed to pay a complete package deal value €45m (£37.8m) to shock Champions League qualifiers Bologna.
Calafiori stood out for Italy at Euro 2024, regardless of their early exit on the final 16 stage, and joins a strong-looking Arsenal backline that boasts the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Jurrien Timber.
Able to enjoying at centre-back and left-back, Calafiori will add one other constructive dynamic to Arsenal’s exceptionally proficient squad, and the Italian instructed membership media in his first interview that he cannot wait to check himself within the Premier League.
“It feels wonderful,” he stated. “It was robust till now, however lastly we’re right here and I can not wait to begin to practice with the workforce and play for the followers.
“It’s truly been my dream since I used to be 12 or 13 years outdated, as a result of I can see the extent of the league right here and the perfect gamers on the planet, for me, play right here. It’s a dream and never just for me, however for everyone.”
Tune in to 90min’s YouTube channel as Harry Symeou will get the knowledgeable lowdown on Riccardo Calafiori from Italian soccer journalist Alessandro Eremiti.
“I spoke lots with the coach and with Edu, and so they satisfied me, however I used to be already satisfied on my own,” he continued. “I believe it’s the perfect mission for me for the subsequent few years, and I believe I’ll enhance as a participant.
“I simply met [Jorginho] one month in the past, however I can see that he’s a very good man. I used to be already satisfied however he compelled me. He stated: ‘come, come, come! You’ll get pleasure from being right here, the workforce is wonderful and the employees, every part is nice.’ You’ll be able to see that already from the primary couple of minutes right here.”
Calafiori was already joined up together with his Arsenal teammates for his or her pre-season tour of the US, the place he’ll hope to get expertise underneath his belt forward of the membership’s push for a primary Premier League title in over twenty years.
Arsenal have come up simply brief in every of the final two campaigns, falling to Manchester Metropolis every time, however harbour ambitions of profitable a primary Premier League crown since Arsene Wenger’s well-known Invincibles completed the 2003/04 season unbeaten.
“I got here right here to play so I’ll do every part to play and to provide one thing to the workforce,” Calafiori concluded. “I hope I can try this from the primary few video games. From my viewpoint, it’s simply the beginning, the start of one thing larger. I’m excited to begin to play for Arsenal and to win trophies.”
