Gonzalo Higuain completed a sensational move to Juventus after the Italian champions agreed to pay a fee of 90 million euros (US$98.8m), the third-highest in history, to wrest the Argentina striker from SSC Napoli on Tuesday.
In what is the biggest-ever transfer fee recorded between two Serie A clubs, Higuain’s move to Turin on a five-year deal was confirmed by Juventus two hours after being published by Serie A league bosses on their official Web site.
In a statement, the Turin giants said: “Juventus Football Club announces the definitive purchase of Gonzalo Gerardo Higuain for the sum of 90 million euros, payable over two equal installments in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. Higuain will sign a five-year deal with the club.”
Napoli had slapped a 94.7 million euro buyout clause on Higuain’s contract after he hit a record 36 goals in the league last season when he broke Gunnar Nordahl’s 66-year record of 35 goals in a single season for AC Milan.
After weeks of talks, Juventus negotiated nearly 5 million euros off Napoli’s asking price to capture the 28-year-old striker whom they believe can make the difference between success and failure in the UEFA Champions League this season.
After leaving the offices of Serie A, Juventus chief executive officer Beppe Marotta gave no details when asked by waiting media, but confirmed the move when he said: “We have deposited Higuain’s contract [with league officials]. We have concluded everything.”
It is the third-highest transfer fee in history after Gareth Bale’s move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid for 100.8 million euros in 2013 and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2009 move from Manchester United to the Spanish giants for 94 million euros in 2009.
Higuain also becomes the most expensive South American player in history, his transfer pipping the 86.2 million euros Barcelona paid to Santos for Brazilian starlet Neymar in 2013.
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