Rome: Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain Thursday completed a move to AC Milan in a three-player swap deal between the seven-time European champions and Juventus that will also see Leonardo Bonucci return to Turin after just a season away.
Milan signed 30-year-old Higuain on a one-year loan deal worth a reported 18 million euros ($21 million) that gives them the option to buy the striker next summer for a further 36 million euros.
Italy centre-back Bonucci has been swapped for promising Mattia Caldara just weeks after Caldara arrived at Juve following his transfer from Atalanta, which was agreed in January 2017.
Higuain left Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles and scored 40 goals in 76 league appearances, following the shock signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid that made the Argentine surplus to requirements.
“A new adventure begins,” said Higuain after undergoing his medical. The Argentine’s move opened the door for Bonucci to return to Turin, where the defender won six league titles and reached two Champions League finals. A reported 42 million euros of that were spent on Bonucci, who was made captain but fell short of the imperious form he showed at Juve.
“Turin and Juventus are home for me. It’s difficult to imagine that this has happened,” said Bonucci. “I am delighted and excited to be back.”