Gianluigi Buffon signs with Paris Saint-Germain

At 40 years of age, the native of Carrara, Tuscany, is a global legend of modern football. Elected best goalkeeper of the beginning of the 21st century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, Gianluigi Buffon was named in FIFA’s Best XI 2017 which honoured the best players of the year and also included new teammates Neymar Jr. and Dani Alves.

Gianluigi Buffon or 'Gigi' completed his youth training with Parma and made his professional debut there in 1995 at the age of 17; the beginning of one of the most stunning careers in world football. In 2001, he became the most expensive goalkeeper in history when he joined Juventus. In the famous Bianconero jersey, Gianluigi Buffon would go on to play 655 matches, winning nine Serie A Scudetti and appearing in three UEFA Champions League finals (2003, 2015, 2017).

With the Italy national team, Gianluigi Buffon will always be remembered for playing a leading role in Gli Azzurri's World Cup in 2006. His 176 appearances in a 20-year international career make him the most capped player in the history of European football.

Club and international appearances combined, Gianluigi Buffon has played 1,051 official matches and won 23 trophies.

"It is with a feeling of great happiness that I join Paris Saint-Germain," declared Gianluigi Buffon after signing his contract. "For the first time in my career, I am leaving my country and only a project as ambitious as this could have encouraged me to make such a decision. I want to thank the club and the Chairman for their confidence. I have followed the club’s incredible progression in recent years and I know what dreams Paris Saint-Germain and its fans hold in their hearts. I am going to bring all my energy, all my experience and all of my desire 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 the stadiums in which we will represent Paris. It's a marvellous city that deserves to one day see its club sitting at the top of international football."

"We are all immensely proud to welcome Gianluigi Buffon into the big Paris Saint-Germain family," rejoiced Paris Saint-Germain chairman and CEO Nasser Al- Khelaïfi. "His incredible career, as well as his ambitious personality, unifying and elegant, make him one of the most admired and respected players in world football. At 40 years of age, his passion for football is as strong as ever and within our project, Gianluigi has found the ideal environment to set himself extremely high objectives and transmit his experience, not only to the other goalkeepers at the club, but to all of our players. Our supporters will know how to welcome Buffon with the enthusiasm and love that he deserves. His signature reaffirms our desire to keep growing, to always go higher, with determination and strength."