TURIN: Spanish striker Alvaro Morata (pix) returned on Tuesday to Juventus on loan from Atletico Madrid, annoud Turin.
Morata, 27, played for Juventus from 2014 to 2016, scoring 27 goals in appearances.
He graduated from Real Madrid’s youth formula and spent two seasons at the club in both aspects of his first stage at Juventus. He also spent a season at Chelsea before signing for Atletico, first on loan.
He joined Juventus on a one-season loan, which will cost 10 million euros (48 million ringgit), the club said.
“He will be part of this year’s team, with an option for a one-year extension of the loan, plus a purchase option,” Juventus said on its website, adding that the move payment would be forty-five million euros (RM 218 million), on 3 annual invoices of 15 million euros (73 million euros) , while a loan extension would charge EUR 10 million at the end of which Juventus would have the option to purchase Array for EUR 35 million (169 million RM).
“There is nothing more exciting than a house and Álvaro Morata’s return to Turin is magnificent!” Juventus said.
After Gonzalo Higuain left for Miami last week, Juve’s new coach, Andrea Pirlo, needed a strong centre forward. The club was connected with Luis Suárez of Barcelona and Edin Dzeko of Rome, but Morata, who played with Pirlo his first stage at the club, came in place.
Spanish media speculated that Morata’s departure could pave the way for Atletico to recruit Suarez.
Morata scored in matches in the semi-final of the 2015 Champions League when Juventus beat one of their former clubs, Real Madrid, 3–2 overall.
He then scored the tie at the time before Suarez and Neymar’s goals gave Barcelona a 3–1 win.
His last goal for Juventus, the winner of the 2016 Italian Cup final against AC Milan, when he arrived from the bench after an 18-minute overtime and scored two minutes later.
“Although Alvaro left the club four years ago, after winning five trophies in two years: two Scudetti, two Italian Cups, an Italian Super Cup, he has remained a bianconero at his center and his return will be as if he had never even said goodbye.
“Because Alvaro is one of us, ” said Juventus. – AFP
46050 Jaya Petaling, Selangor,
Malaysia
Tel: 603-7784 6688
Fax: 603-7785 2624 / 603-7785 2625