Ricardo Calafiori has become one of the most expensive Under 23 signings in the history of Arsenal following his move from Bologna this summer.
Calafiori joined the Gunners for a fee of €45 million and this is one of the biggest amounts the North London side have splashed out on a player under the age of 23.
Riccardo Calafiori’s deal with the Gunners runs for five years, meaning he will remain at Arsenal until 2029.
The list of the most expensive Under-23 signings in the history of Arsenal has become populated in recent years.
Certainly, this is due to the inflation that has engulfed the transfer market, with teams needing to spend huge sums to land their targets.
The 10 Most Expensive U23 Signings In Arsenal’s History?
Kieran Tierney occupies the basement of the list, as he was signed at the age of 22 from Celtic in the summer of 2019, for a fee of €27 million.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale moved to the North London side from Sheffield United at the age of 23, for a fee of €28 million in the summer of 2021.
Uruguayan International Lucas Torreira joined the Emirates Stadium side from Sampdoria in the summer of 2018 for a fee of €28.65 million.
He was 22 when he moved to the club. Torreira exited Arsenal in the summer of 2022 to join Galatasaray, having failed to cut it at the club.
William Saliba, who is considered one of the best defenders, joined the Gunners at the age of 18 from Saint Etienne in the summer of 2019 for a fee of €30 million.
Fabio Vieira signed for the North London side aged 22 in the summer of 2022 from FC Porto for a fee of €35 million.
Captain Martin Odegaard permanently joined Arsenal in August 2021 after an initial 6 months loan deal.
Odegaard was 22 when the Gunners acquired him from Real Madrid for a fee of €35 million.
Dutch defender Jurrien Timber left Ajax at the age of 22 for Arsenal in the summer of 2023, for a fee of €40 million.
Next up is the recent addition, Riccardo Calafiori, who is currently 22. He switched to the English giants from Serie A side Bologna for a fee of €45 million as earlier indicated.
Shockingly, Arsenal paid the same amount (€45 million) to sign 23-year-old Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2016.
Xhaka left Mikel Arteta’s side in the summer of 2023 for German Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Sitting pretty at the summit of the list is defender Ben White, who was bought from Brighton and Hove Albion aged 23 for a fee of €58.5 million.
Top 10 Most Expensive Under 23 Signings In The History Of Arsenal
10) Kieran Tierney From Celtic
Age: 22 Years
Transfer Fee: €27 million
Stats: 124 Appearances, 5 Goals and 13 Assists.
9) Aaron Ramsdale From Sheffield United
Age: 23 Years
Transfer Fee: €28 million
Stats: 89 Appearances, 32 Clean sheets.
8) Lucas Torreira From Sampdoria
Age: 22 Years
Transfer Fee: €28.65 million
Stats: 89 Appearances, 4 Goals and 6 Assists.
7) William Saliba From Saint Etienne
Age: 18
Transfer Fee: €30 million
Stats: 83 Appearances, 5 Goals and 2 Assists
6) Fabio Vieira From FC Porto
Age: 22
Transfer Fee: €35 million
Stats: 49 Appearances, 3 Goals and 9 Assists.
5) Martin Odegaard From Real Madrid
Age: 22
Transfer Fee: €35 million
Stats: 153 Appearances, 35 Goals and 25 Assists.
4) Jurrien Timber From Ajax
Age: 22
Transfer Fee: €40 million
Stats: 3 Appearances, Nill
3) Riccardo Calafiori From Bologna
Age: 22
Transfer Fee: €45 million
2) Granit Xhaka From Borussia Monchengladbach
Age: 23
Transfer Fee: €45 million
Stats: 297 Appearances, 23 Goals and 29 Assists.
1) Ben White From Brighton
Age: 23
Transfer Fee: €58.5 million
Stats: 134 Appearances, 6 Goals and 10 Assists.
