Buffon, 40, Joins PSG

Gianluigi Buffon has begun his new adventure with Paris Saint-Germain following 17 years with Juventus.

Buffon, 40, signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional season, just weeks after he was expected to retire from football.

Instead, he will resume his career outside of Serie A for the first time and be tasked with adding his significant experience to PSG as they continue to pursue Champions League success.

“It is with a great feeling of happiness that I join Paris Saint-Germain,” Buffon said. “For the first time in my career, I am leaving my country and only a project this ambitious could have encouraged me to make such a decision. I want to thank the club and the president for their confidence.”

“To have followed the club’s incredible progression in recent years, I know what dreams Paris Saint-Germain and its fans have in their hearts. I am going to bring all my energy, all my experience and all of my thirst to win to help my new club achieve all the great objectives it has set out for the future.

“With my teammates and our supporters, we will share fantastic emotions at the Parc des Princes and in all of the stadiums in which we are going to represent Paris, a marvelous city that deserves to one day see its club at the top of international football.”

Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 for €52 million — still a record fee for a goalkeeper — and has enjoyed a glittering career, having won the World Cup, the Europa League and numerous Serie A and Coppa Italia titles.

The Champions League has so far eluded him, however, and the union may be beneficial for both sides following two consecutive exits by PSG in the round of 16.