New Juventus signing Andrea Pirlo believes that he can provide a major contribution to help Juventus return to being a top team in Italian football. Pirlo, who signed from Serie A rivals AC Milan on a three year contract, arrives at the Stadio Delle Alpi on a free transfer. The 72 capped Italian midfielder hopes to bring glory back to the city of Turin, with Juventus not winning a Scudetto since the 2002-03 season. Juventus did win two Scudettos in successive seasons from 2004 – 2006, but they were stripped in the infamous match fixing scandal that saw the club relegated to Serie B and the shame of a nation cast upon them.
Pirlo said: ‘There’s a desire to start winning again, since victories have been missing for a few years now. I want to win and take this team back to the top. It’s important to have a winning mentality.’
Pirlo is used to switching between big sides, having made the switch from Internazionale to arch rivals AC Milan in 2003 for 18 million Euros, and the midfielder knows what the Juventus fans expect and desire. He admitted: ‘I have received other offers from other teams in Italy and abroad, but I picked Juve. When you go to Juve, you know what to expect. It will be a thrilling challenge‘.
Pirlo made 284 appearances for AC Milan in his seven year career with the Rossoneri and believes that the experience he holds from winning two Scudettos and two Champions League trophies will benefit the youthful squad manager Antonio Conte has at his disposal. Pirlo himself was limited to only 17 appearances at the San Siro last season, but is heavily respected in both Italian and World football and admits that he hasn’t had a proper conversation with manager Antonio Conte, but he will play in any position he is asked to by the recently appointed Juventus manager.
In other Juventus news, the Old Lady have captured Swiss international full-back Reto Ziegler on a four year deal from fellow Serie A side Sampdoria. Ziegler, who is only 25, has stated that he is ‘honoured to have joined Juventus‘ and he is looking forward to playing with ‘great champions‘ in Turin.
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