Italy international Jorginho reveals he pushed new Arsenal teammate Riccardo Calafiori to join him in London. ‘I said if he wants to take himself to the next level and grow, this is the right place.’
The defender completed the transfer from Bologna this week for a reported fee of €45m plus another €5m in various add-ons.
Not all of that went to the Rossoblu coffers, because they also owed around 40 per cent of the sum to his previous club FC Basel and some also to the Roma side where he grew up.
Juventus had also been eager to sign Calafiori, but Jorginho reveals he worked on convincing him during their EURO 2024 experience together in Germany.
Jorginho called on Calafiori
“It’s a really good signing. He’s a really good young player that will give a lot to the team. He’s a very professional guy, he is hungry to learn and humble. He has a lot to add and grow and learn and I think it’s going to be a good connection,” Jorginho told the official Arsenal website.
Originally a left-back, Calafiori flourished into an excellent central defender at Bologna and in that role impressed for Italy at the European Championships this summer.
“To be fair I didn’t know him that much but when I got to know him and see him up close, it’s been great. He has great qualities,” added Jorginho, who was also in the Azzurri squad.
“I sent him a few messages while we were there at the tournament and I spoke with him and said if he wants to take himself to the next level and grow, this is the right place for him to go.”
The Italy teammate is also taking on the role of big brother to help Calafiori settle in London.
“It’s nice to have a fratello here! We always try to help each other here and that’s what we’re going to do with him as well to make sure he feels at home straight away. It’s great that he’s here, hopefully he enjoys it and we’ll achieve big things together.”