Arsenal have signed their first player of the summer. 

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori has joined the Gunners from Serie A side Bologna on a five year deal worth up to £42m with add ons.

The highly-rated 22-year-old played 30 times for Bologna last term, scoring two goals and providing five assists as they finished fifth to seal a Champions League spot.

The versatile defender has immediately joined up with his new team-mates in Philadelphia ahead of the Gunners pre-season clash against Liverpool in the final match of their US tour. 

"I'm really happy to be here," said Calafiori, who has represented his national team at every age group, adding: "I waited a lot.

"I hope we are going to do something great this season."

Calafiori started his career in the youth academy at Roma, where he spent 12 years developing from the youth set-up into the first-team, including a loan at fellow Italian side Genoa during the 2021-22 campaign.

.........

For more read below

Made of stern stuff: How Arsenal's new signing battled back from a career-threatening injury to shine Read my in-depth focus on Riccardo Calafiori as the talented 22-year-old signs for Arsenal in deal worth up to £42mSign up for my Arsenal @SubstackInchttps://t.co/2xEqeBZbWs pic.twitter.com/yNqNRq6FtM

— Layth (@laythy29) July 29, 2024