Gianluigi Buffon Set To Sign New Juventus Deal Meaning He Will Play Beyond Aged 43

Juventus talisman shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon intends to put pen-to-paper on a new one-year deal with the Old Lady meaning he will continue to turn out for Juve beyond his 43rd birthday.

One of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time, the experienced Italian joined the Serie A champions from Parma in 2001 – and quickly bust onto the scene and eventually became one of the best in the world.

Buffon, who has made a staggering 912 club appearances during his career to date, has also played for Italy on 176 occasions. The 42-year-old has racked up 11 domestic titles and also got his super safe hands on the World Cup back in 2006.

A new deal will see the legend enter his 26th season as a player, and according to Tuttosport, Buffon underwent talks with club chairman Andrea Agnelli most recently. It is anticipated that the deal with be concluded once the coronavirus pandemic has subsided and soccer returns.

Having spent 17-years at Juve in two sperate stints, one trophy has alluded him – the Champions League. Buffon will be hoping his team can progress when his side face Lyon in their second-leg tie and overcome their 1-0 deficit to progress to the quarter-finals, and continue his dream of securing that elusive title, that of course, when soccer returns in the future.

In an attempt to win the European Cup, Buffon previously moved to Paris Saint-Germain for a campaign, only for Manchester United to knock the French side out in the last-16 in 2019. He returned to Juventus last summer and has made 11 appearances this season so far.

Former Italy teammates Fabio Cannavaro and Francesco Totti and have previously heaped praise on Buffon on Instagram.

“I’ll tell you; Gigi wants to play until he’s 50. But he can play for two or three more seasons. Besides, he’s in goal and is a back-up”.

“Well, you’ll know it. He won’t want to stop, but they will make him stop, which is very different,” Cannavaro replied.

Understudy to Wojciech Szczęsny, Buffon will not hang up his gloves yet. The fact Juve have stated they want to extend his contract proves he has a lot to offer behind the scenes, let alone when asked to deputise for first choice Szczęsny on the pitch.

Buffon’s talent will no doubt be used to coach younger Juve shot stoppers but his vast experience of high-end matches and how to handle the pressures will also be a vault of knowledge for coaches and outfield players to tap into.