Buffon pens new deal with Juventus

Juventus custodian Gianluigi Buffon has signed a new two-year contract extension, which will keep him at the club until 2015.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup winner is the current captain of Juventus after joining them in 2001 from Parma. The transfer fee of €52m that was spent on him remains the highest-ever paid price for a goalkeeper. Over the years, he has been highly regarded as the best goalkeeper of this decade.

Buffon had this to say at a press conference in Turin:

“I remember my first day and the fact that I was asking myself if I was up to the standard of a club like Juventus,” Buffon told a news conference in Turn. My rapport with the fans has been important. I also enjoy a good relationship with the management and coaching staff. I would have turned down offers from other teams. For me Juventus has become a way of life. Above all I would like to win the trophies that have eluded me in my career so far. Starting with the Champions League. We want to reclaim the Italian title. We’ve shown we’re back as a competitive force in Europe. That’s what matters.”

He has reportedly taken a 1.5 million euro cut from his 6 million euro-a-year deal.