Football: Buffon returns to Parma in Serie B, 20 years after leaving

PARMA, Italy: Goalkeeping great Gianluigi Buffon has returned to his first club Parma 20 years after leaving, the Italian club announced on Thursday (Jun 17).

The 43-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the club, who were relegated from Serie A in 2020-21, after leaving Juventus at the end of his contract.

Buffon, who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, began his career as a youth player at Parma aged 13 in 1991 and made his Serie A debut as a 17-year-old four years later.

He soon established a glowing reputation, helping his club win the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia in 1998-99, and became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Juventus in a deal worth around £33 million (US$46.06 million) in 2001.

The Italian has been at Juventus ever since, apart from one season at Paris St-Germain in 2018-19, and his honours list includes 10 Serie A titles, one Ligue 1 title and the World Cup, among others.

Buffon deputised for Wojciech Szczesny last season, making 14 appearances in all competitions, which included playing every minute of a triumphant Coppa Italia campaign for Juve.