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‘End of a cycle’ – Buffon announces Juventus departure

Gianluigi Buffon - Juventus
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After two decades of service and firmly establishing himself as one of the best shot-stoppers of all time, the 43-year-old has finally decided to leave Turin.

Gianluigi Buffon announces he will quit Juventus when his contract expires at the end of the season, although he is not yet fully ready to go into retirement.

Buffon joined Juventus in his early twenties back in 2001 on a €52 million transfer from Parma. Twenty years later, he still holds the record of being the most expensive goalkeeper in Serie A.

In his debut season in Turin, the ex-Italy international won the league title – a trophy he would go on to win 11 more times – and was honored with the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award.

After nearly 700 appearances for Juventus and a plethora of trophies and awards won, Buffon is now ready to walk away.

“My future is clear and defined. This beautiful and very long experience with Juve will come to a definitive end this year,” said the goalkeeper, speaking to Sky Sport Italia.

“Either I stop playing, or if I find a situation that motivates me to play or have a different life experience, I will take it into consideration.

“I feel I gave everything for Juve. I have received everything and more than this cannot be done.

“We have reached the end of a cycle and it’s right for one to remove the disturbance.”

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