Another Italian moving to the Premier League? Say it ain’t so. Riccardo Calafiori will link up with fellow Italian Jorginho at the Emirates next season. The Gunners announced the signing of the 22-year-old defender on Monday.
Could the 22-year-old become one of the best Premier League imports from the Serie A? As the new 24/25 Premier League season looms, 433futbol takes a look at the top five best players to move from the Serie A to the Premier League to date.
Thierry Henry (Juventus to Arsenal, 1999)
Thierry Henry arrived in Highbury in August 1999 and quickly became King of London. The French striker went from a relatively unknown 22-year-old to the club’s highest-scoring goalscorer, netting 228 goals in 377 games. That £11M transfer paid dividends, as the King played a vital role in Wenger’s two league titles, including one ‘Invincibles‘ season.
Mohamed Salah (AS Roma to Liverpool, 2017)
Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool in the summer of 2017 for around €42 million and never looked back. As he’s been so aptly named, the ‘Egyptian King’ is the club’s highest goalscorer with 207 strikes in 337 games. The Liverpool legend is also the team’s highest Champions League goalscorer. Under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp, Salah soared to one Champions League title, a Premier League, and FA Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus to Manchester United, 2021)
While it wasn’t the original Cristiano Ronaldo, born and bred at Manchester United, the legend still proved his worth. Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford at the age of 36 years old was a productive one. He scored a remarkable 24 goals in 39 matches, leading a depleted and uncharacteristically vulnerable Red Devils squad still in post-Ferguson transition.
Alisson Becker (AS Roma to Liverpool, 2018)
Jurgen Klopp stole another gem from AS Roma and turned him into an elite player. Under Klopp, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson earned 114 clean sheets in 263 games. The two-time Premier League Golden Glove winner shared the victor’s spoils: the legend won a Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup title to boot.
Dennis Bergkamp (Inter Milan to Arsenal, 1995)
The Dutch maestro Dennis Bergkamp joined Arsenal on June 19, 1995, for £7.5 million. In his 400 appearances, the renowned technician helped the Gunners to three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and some glorious assists and goals.
“He was a massive signing for Arsenal and he is the one that all the success was built on. He was magnificent and is the best signing the club has ever made. He changed the DNA of the club. It was an honor to play with somebody of that calibre,” said club legend Ian Wright.
Patrick Vieira (AC Milan to Arsenal, 1996)
Do you think we’d forget to add Patrick Vieria to this list? On August 14, 1996, the 20-year-old French midfielder signed for £3.5m and became an instant legend. Vieira made over 400 appearances with the Gunners and won three Premier League titles.
photo: x/90sfootball
