Top 10 best Juventus signings

Over the years there have been countless players to have worn the black and white striped shirt of Juventus, but few who go on to make and leave a lasting impression. This is a list of the top ten best signings (in my opinion of course) Juventus have made, whether it be for financial gain such as one inclusion that will no doubt stand out from the rest, or quality and success the individual brought to the club. 

Edgar Davids: Joining Juventus from AC Milan in January of 1998 for £7.20m, Edgar Davids was one of the most instantly recognised footballers of his generation with his dread locked style hair and trademark protective googles on the pitch, worn due to suffering from glaucoma, a condition known to affect the eyes. Davids not only looked the part, but played his role in midfield equally as good. A combative, energetic yet technically gifted midfielder labelled as Marcello Lippi’s “one man engine”. Davids would regularly live up to his moniker ‘the pitbull’, aggressively marking and tackling no matter the opponent, playing over 240 matche's for the Bianconeri before leaving the club in 2004.

Roberto Baggio: A transfer that literally caused riots on the streets of Florence as the ‘divine ponytail’ Roberto Baggio left behind Fiorentina fans to Join their hated rivals Juventus for £6.98m in 1990. Although never going to be an idol for Juventus fans after Baggio refused to take a penalty against his former club, even kissing a Fiorentina scarf thrown in his direction as he was substituted, the Italian icon did  however bring success to Juventus. Baggio would score 106 goals over 189 games for Juventus, winning the UEFA Cup, Serie A scudetto and Italian cup before Leaving five years later to join AC Milan for £6.75m.

Paul Pogba: In a modern football world filled with extravagant transfer fees, Pogba was signed on a free transfer, in a move that proved to be a very shrewd investment indeed. Arriving in 2012 as a young 19-year-old after failing to break into the Manchester United first team, Pogba would go on to make his name at Juventus. At times scoring goals as outrageous as his ever-changing hair styles, Pogba would provide Juventus with match winning moments and just as much footage worthy of a YouTube highlight video. Although nowhere near the legendary status of some of the players on this list, the main reason for Pogba’s inclusion is the massive financial reward Juventus as a club would go on to receive. Pogba returned to Manchester United in 2016 for a then world record transfer of £94.50m, 4 seasons after leaving the club for free. Fans may have soured on the French man since his departure, but there can be arguing when it comes to including his name on this list for the profit Juventus made on his return to England. 

Andrea Barzagli: Although not a big name when he arrived from German side Wolfsburg for just £270k in January 2011, Barzagli would go on to cement his place alongside Giorgio Chillini and Leonardo Bonucci as the rock of the famed BBC defence. Barzagli has for the most part been Juventus most consistent and reliable defender over the past 6 seasons, and although he is no longer able to play every game he can still be called upon to put in a performance at the age of 36. 

Zinedine Zidane: Now better known for managing Real Madrid, before his managerial days in Spain Zidane was arriving in Italy to sign for Juventus, leaving French side Bordeaux in 1996 for £3.15m. Zidane would go on to be known as one of the footballing greats, gifted with skill and a sublime first touch, Zidane at times was simply breath taking to watch. As well as having one of the all-time greats in their ranks, Juventus also sold Zidane on for a hefty profit too. Selling Zidane to Real Madrid in 2001 for a then world record fee of £66.15m.

Andrea Pirlo: Signed from AC Milan in 2011 on a free transfer, Pirlo would show just how wrong Milan were to allow the midfield maestro to leave on a free for Juventus. Proving pivotal for Juventus return to title winning ways, immediately becoming a key player as fans watched on in awe of the bearded genius’s range of passing and set piece skills over 4 seasons. There can be no doubting how vital the signing of Pirlo proved to be, and at such little cost.

Pavel Nedved: Signed from Lazio in 2001 for £37.08m, a left sided midfielder with bundles of energy and possessing a powerful left foot that would see Nedved score some stunning long range goals during his playing days. Nedved would play a substantial part of the sides 2002 – 2003 season taking Juventus past Barcelona & Real Madrid in the UEFA champions league with memorable goals and performances, So important was the Czech that his presence on the pitch was missed due to suspension when Juventus faced AC Milan in that seasons final, Nedved would have to settle for being voted 2003 European Footballer of the Year instead. Like the remaining names on this list he would remain with the club for their sole season in Serie B when faced with demotion in 2006, before retiring 3 years later at the end of the 2008 – 2009 season, ending his playing career as the 7th best foreign goal scorer ever for Juventus. Despite retiring, Nedved can still be seen at the Juventus stadium on match days, watching on from the stands amongst the board of directors as vice chairman.

David Trezeguet: Signed from French outfit Monaco in the summer of 2000 for £20.70m, Trezeguet would arrive in Turin having recently broken Italian hearts after scoring the winning goal that won the European cup for France and left Italy runners up at Euro 2000. Trezeguet would continue to score vital goals in a Juventus shirt, so regularly that fans would nickname the Frenchman ‘trezegol’ for his feats inside opponent’s penalty box. Trezeguet would end his Juventus career ten years later in 2010 amassing 171 goals over 320 league appearances, making him the fourth-highest goal scorer in the club's history and Juventus’ most prolific foreign marksman.

Alessandro Del Piero: Joining Juventus in 1993 from Padova for €2.60m, so impressive was the young star, that the club felt comfortable enough to sell Roberto Baggio as Del Piero gradually took the iconic Italians place and number 10. Going on to become a pivotal part of Juventus history as the club went on to win the UEFA champions league in 1996, scoring 6 goals on the road to the final, and many more goals throughout 19 seasons. Despite the obstacles Del Piero encountered during his career, whether it be a serious injury in 1999, mainly featuring as a substitute under Fabio Capello’s two seasons as manager or playing in Serie B, Del Piero remained a Juventus player due to his love for the club and refused to surrender to criticism that came his way. Proving the doubters wrong ending the 2007-2008 season as Serie A top goal scorer with 21 goals. Del Piero would end his playing days as a fan favourite and club legend in 2012, by then writing his name into the record books as the club’s all-time top goal scorer and appearance’s, scoring 289 goals over 705 appearance’s.

Gianluigi Buffon: Signed from Parma in 2001 for a transfer fee of £47.60m, making Buffon the world’s most expensive goalkeeper for 16 long years. Since arriving at Juventus, Buffon has done little wrong whilst establishing himself as one of the world’s best in goal. Remaining with the club even in their darkest hour spending a season in Serie B, despite arguably having the luxury of playing elsewhere for any major club in Europe further cemented ‘super gig’ as a fan favourite. Given his consistent performances and longevity as a first team regular there can be no doubting Buffon’s inclusion.