Dani Alves will wear a new club shirt for the first time in eight years.
The Brazilian, 33, is leaving Barcelona for Juventus on a free transfer, having passed a medical and agreed to terms with The Old Lady. The deal is two years with an option for a third.
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Alves made 391 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 21 goals. He’s also been capped 93 times by Brazil, scoring 7 times. He’s won two Confederations Cups, a Copa America, six La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions Leagues, two UEFA Cups and five Copa del Reys between Barca, Brazil and Sevilla.
It’s no surprise that the statistically-minded Juve included some strong stats on Alves’ 2015-16 production:Unsurprisingly, the South American excelled particularly in his offensive duties, completing almost double the average number of forward passes compared to any other full-back in La Liga (50.31 per game vs. 28.34) while supplying just under three times as many crosses (3.45 vs. 1.25).
Add to that his high rate of recoveries (5.07 vs. 3.62) and it is clear that the Bianconeri are acquiring a defender of immense aggression, drive and extraordinary technical quality, who promises to provide an added angle of attack for Massimiliano Allegri’s outfit down the right side.
Alves’ style should move seamlessly to Serie A, which has been known to extend careers. Any doubts?