Juventus legend Gigi Buffon set for PSG

Posted Tuesday, May 22, 2018 by 101 GREAT GOALS

According to reports in both Italy and France, departing Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is all set for a move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Legend
Buffon, now 40, is regarded by many to be the greatest goalkeeper of all-time, with his near-unrivaled combination of lightning-quick reflexes, shot-stopping ability, command of his area and, crucially, longevity, having set the veteran apart from so many of the finest to ever strap on a pair of goalkeeper gloves.

After coming up through the youth ranks at former Italian giants Parma, Buffon eventually broke into the Crociati's first-team in 1995, as an inexperienced but prodigious teen.

Following 3 years at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, during which he clinched the Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and the UEFA Cup, Buffon made the move to Juventus for a then-world-record 52 million Euro in 2001, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Domestic dominance
Buffon has since gone on to establish himself as undoubtedly the greatest to ever step between the posts over the course of the storied history of the Bianconeri, and has racked up an incredible 11 (9 official) Serie A titles (including the last 7), 1 Serie B, 4 Coppa Italias and 5 Supercoppa Italianas in Turin.

Perhaps the gesture that will stand out the most to fans of the Old Lady will always be the fact that Buffon stayed loyal to the club despite their relegation to the second-tier of Italian football in 2006 following the Calciopoli scandal, despite the Italian legend having had massive offers on the table from some of European football's other heavyweights.

In total, Buffon pulled on the Bianconeri jersey on 656 occasions over the last 17 years, keeping exactly 301 clean sheets over that span, and has spent more time on the pitch as a Juventus player than any other in the history of the club.

Emotional farewell
But, in an announcement that had long been predicted, Buffon confirmed in a press conference last Thursday that he was set to bring his spell with the Italian champions to an end this summer, with the shot-stopper having lined out in the black and white of the Old Lady for the final time during Juve's 2-1 Serie A victory over Hellas Verona on Saturday.

France bound
However, while Buffon confirmed his Juventus departure, the veteran refused to confirm his retirement, with rumours having since been rife in the media that he is now set to begin a new adventure at another club.

The Chinese Super League was initially suggested, along with both the MLS and even Argentina, but a number of more high-profile destinations have since been touted for Buffon over the last few days.

Both Liverpool and Real Madrid have been suggested as possible landing spots with betting outlets in England, but, as per reports from both France Football and Sky Sport Italia over the last 24 hours, Buffon is in fact all set for a move to Ligue 1 champions PSG.

And, as per a further update courtesy of Paris United this evening, Buffon's agent, Silvano Martina, has now accepted a contract offer from the capital giants which will see the Italian ply his trade at the Parc des Princes for the next two seasons.