Real Madrid have confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo is to join Juventus, revealing the move comes at the ‘will of the player.’
Madrid released a statement on Tuesday evening, with Ronaldo leaving after nine years at Santiago Bernabeu.
Reports from Italy and Spain differ over the transfer fee paid by the Old Lady, with some going as high as €105m, but all agreeing it is the most expensive purchase in Italian football history.
Ronaldo moved to Madrid in 2009 from Manchester United and made 438 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 451 goals and winning La Liga twice, in 2011-12 and 2016-17, and the Champions League four times in 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.
“Real Madrid communicates that, in response to the will and request expressed by Cristiano Ronaldo, he has agreed a transfer to Juventus,” a statement on Madrid’sofficial website said.
Ronaldo, who also won three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League during his time in England, will reportedly earn €30m-a-season in Italy, which Juventus are expected to pay for in-part with new sponsorships.
He leaves Madrid as the club’s record goalscorer, having surpassed the likes of Raul Gonzalez, Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas,
Ronaldo’s agent met with Juventus higher-ups on Tuesday, and the President of the Italian club, Andrea Agenlli, travelled to Greece to meet with Ronaldo while the Portugal captain was on a post-World Cup holiday.
