Leonardo Bonucci has officially left Milan to return to his former club.
Bonucci was the marquee signing of the last transfer window, in which the old Chinese management spent over €220m. Leonardo had signed a five-year deal and was given the captain’s armband.
However, like the Chinese – a year later Bonucci is already gone. Leonardo decided he wants to move back to Juventus and a triple deal was struck between the parties: Higuain and Caldara move to Milan, while Bonucci gets his wish and returns to wearing the Bianconeri colors.
“Juventus Football Club announces the return of Leonardo Bonucci after the defender completed his move from Milan,” a statement on Juventus’ website reads. “After spending seven wonderful years in black and white, Bonucci has returned to the club following a season at Milan.
“Bonucci began his Bianconeri career in 2010, emerging as one of the most promising young defenders in Italy, and he would go on to establish himself as one of the very best in the world in his role. During his time at Juve, Bonucci won almost everything, claiming six Scudetti, three Coppa Italia titles and three Italian Super Cups, whilst helping the team reach two Champions League finals.
“Last season at Milan, he further demonstrated both his defensive prowess and ability to dictate the game from deep. Amongst his team-mates, he completed the most passes (2,736) and made the most interceptions (70) across all competitions. Not only that, but the 31-year-old made the second-most appearances, playing a total of 50 matches in the Rossoneri shirt. Now, both Juventus and Bonucci are ready to start winning things again together. Welcome home, Leo!”
Bonucci, who yesterday said goodbye to his teammates and left the Rossoneri camp in the US, signed a five-year contract with Juventus: Milan and Juventus valued him at €35m and he goes to the Old Lady in a direct swap with Caldara. The Diavolo and Bonucci part ways after 13 months.
It remains to be seen now who will replace Bonucci as the captain of Milan (Alessio Romagnoli and Jack Bonaventura are candidates), while Franck Kessié might re-take the #19 jersey.
yes Kessie, take that No. 19. You deserve it.
Cheers Leo. Enjoy your Juve.
Bonuchit!! Shameless idiot.
I don’t really have any hard feelings against him. I always liked him as a player, his passing and defense was great. But when he came to Milan, it wasn’t the same. Even when Gattuso arrived he never recovered his old form. But he helped Romangoli develop, and if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have been able to sign Caldara, who along with Romangoli is the best Italian defender of his generation. But being fair, the only thing you can call his time here at Milan is a failure, all that talk and he gave up after 1 year.… Read more »
I think Bonucci’s departure is symbolic for the “chinese reign” over us. Left as soon as he came, even more since he was given the captains armband. It just wasn’t meant to be and I really dont feel any hate towards him or anything. Like @ak said so well, he was a great mentor for Romagnoli, and surely for Calabria and the others as well, and if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have a defender for now and for the future in Caldara and Higuain in our roster. It’s wonderful to have them, hope they’ll be good on the… Read more »
Comment:Milan sure win in the triple deal
From on set i didn’t like the Bonucci transfer to Milan was like why get him when their is already Musacchio you just bought Remember Shechenko complaining about the signing of Bonucci fine it was a chance to just needless that money would have been to strengthen with better striker before the market was crazy . Actually thanks for moving back to Juventus, if not we wouldn’t have gotten Higuain & Caldara Thanks to CR7 for pushing PIPITA out. Foremost JUVENTUS they made it possible despite the fact we were rivals they agree to sell to strength there rival much… Read more »
I was with you all the way until you said “am getting juventus jersey”, hahha, wtf man?
Yes Juventus don’t see Milan as scudetto rivals. We would be lucky if fighting for UCL position. I don’t blame Bonucci, like him as a player. If was the first big major signing in many yrs which showed that Milan can still attract big players even without Champions Legaue football. After selling Ibra and Thiago Silva I think this was first major signing. I don’t blame him for leaving either, who doesn’t want to play with CR7. Juventus are going for UCL and CR7 is Mr Champions League. The price for Higuain is right but I am not a big… Read more »
Caldara was given in exchange of a proven champion, hope this is not a weight on his shoulders and perform at his best potential, can’t say I’m glad to see Bonucci leaving, I was only against him taking the armband
Juventus is a classy club,i really admire how they did business with us,A lot of respect to the old ladies.We are rivals not enemies…good for Serie A.
Good bye leo. Good luck for the future.
Still can’t figure out why on earth you came to Milan if you were so lovestruck with juve.
Anyways, thanks for caldara gift. Your crybaby antics helped us land him.
Leo never really liked Milan,as he saw Milan as a downgrade compare to juve,perhaps he wanted to use Milan to hurt his formal employers(juve) and instead he hurt himself,I knew this wud happen ever since that interview wen he said he earlier regretted leaving juventus and the same feelings I see in higuain right now and this may affect his performers ,he does not look satisfied and happy with the shirt,I like higuain but am not happy right now that he is here cos he looked like he is being forced to be here
I hope higuain takes it as an offence to bolster his performance rather than sulk and drop his level.
Hoping for the best for milan.
I saw it too… Higuain is not really excited about coming to AC MILAN. My hope is that Like Pirlo, He will find his form again & give us an excellent season.
I’m a little doubtful that Caldara-Romag would work just as well as Bonucci-Romag. During most part of Gatusso’s reign we had one of the most solid CB pairings in the league, and that’s worth a lot. I imagine it’s going to take awhile for Caldara and Romag to look just as good, if at all. We now have three former Atlanta players in Kessie, Conti, and Caldara who will have to work very hard to regain their former status.
In any case, getting Higuain makes everything worth it. Super stoked about him.
I have no regrets. In fact I’m glad that Bonucci has left since I believe his style of play was making Milan vulnerable to counterattack’s because of his persistence in playing the ball to the strikers. completely ignoring the midfield. Sigh His signing was more of an impulse buy than a smart decision for the team. He would have gone down as one of our worst signings if we weren’t able to recoup the 42m spent by getting Caldara. Bonucci will always be the player we didn’t need and luckily we were able send his ass back to Juve who… Read more »
This guy should re-do his Lion tattoo and get a sheep instead.