Arsenal have completed the acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori from Serie A side Bologna, following weeks of seeking for his signature.
Riccardo Calafiori Contract Details At Arsenal
Calafiori cost the Gunners a transfer fee of €45 million and he becomes the club’s first major signing in the summer of 2024.
He has signed a five-year deal with the North London club, which runs until the summer of 2029.
Reports indicate that Riccardo Calafiori was earning about €14,000 per week at Bologna, however, his wage will experience a significant increase at Arsenal.
According to reports, the Italian international will earn about €80,000 per week, which equates to approximately €4 million annually.
These figures indicate that the defender will witness an astronomical rise of 536% in his wage, a huge contrast from his pay package at Bologna.
That would put him above Jakub Kiwor, who earns €58,000 per week with the Gunners, but below Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard, who are both paid €90,000 weekly.
Riccardo Calafiori’s Jersey Number At Arsenal
The 22-year-old will wear the number 33 jersey at the North London club, a shirt that has previously been worn by several goalkeepers including; Mat Ryan, Matt Macey, Petr Cech, and Arthur Okonkwo.
The 33 jersey was last donned by Okonkwo, who held it from the 21/22 season till his departure from the club this summer following the expiration of his contract on June 30, 2024.
For outfield players, Danish great Nicklas Bendtner is one of the shirt’s custodians, having worn it in the 2005/06 season.
Riccardo Calafiori appears to love the number 33 jersey, as he also donned it during his time at Bologna.
Before his move to the Italian side in the summer of 2023, Calafiori also played in that shirt for Swiss giants FC Basel.
The other jersey numbers he has been assigned in his professional football career are; 61 and 13 at Roma alongside 16 at Genoa.
Riccardo Calafiori At Arsenal
The center-back will be hoping to adapt seamlessly to the playing pattern of Spanish tactician Mikel Arteta.
Calafiori is expected to function primarily at the heart of Arsenal’s defense, but he can also be utilized in the left-midfield and left-back departments.
The Gunners conceded the least amount of goals in the Premier League last season, shipping in just 29 goals.
They will be hoping to display equal and more stinginess in defense in the upcoming campaign, as they aim to dislodge Manchester City from the Premier League throne.
Riccardo Calafiori has wasted no time in ensuring he acclimatizes to the Arsenal setup, as he was seen amongst his teammates in their base in the United States.
The club’s fascinating unveiling video revealed Calafiori’s presence in the US and fans of the club will be looking forward to seeing him in their next preseason affair.
Arsenal’s 2024 Preseason Matches
Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw in their first preseason game this summer, before defeating rivals Manchester United 2-1 at the SoFi Stadium on July 28, 2024.
They have three more preseason battles in the summer of 2024, with the next being against familiar foes Liverpool on August 1, 2024.
The Gunners subsequently trade tackles with German Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on August 7, 2024, and French giants Olympique Lyon on August 11, 2024.
