Poland international goalkeeper Kamil Grabara has joined Italian club Juventus on loan from German side Wolfsburg after nearly two months searching for a new team.
The Serie A club holds an option to purchase the goalkeeper permanently for 11.5 million euros. The move follows a complete restructuring of the Juventus goalkeeping roster ahead of the new season.
Juventus allowed Mattia Perin to join Palermo and sanctioned Michele Di Gregorio's move to English Premier League side Bournemouth. Alongside Grabara, the Turin club has also signed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
Former Polish international goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny reacted to the transfer on Instagram, writing that he liked seeing a Polish goalkeeper at Juventus.
Spalletti praises new goalkeeping arrivals
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti praised the transfer during a press conference ahead of Saturday's match against Parma, bringing up the Polish player without receiving any questions about him.
Spalletti commended the club management for securing two high-caliber goalkeepers in Vicario and Grabara, stating that their arrivals demonstrated excellent work by the board. He described Grabara as an important goalkeeper and drew comparisons to Perin, who served as the team's backup during the previous campaign.
The manager added that Juventus had brought in a second goalkeeper operating at the club's standard, equal to their first option. Spalletti noted that he was surprised by Grabara's natural composure and fluid movement in goal.
He explained that Grabara operates like an outfield player rather than staying in a traditional goalkeeping posture, adjusting his position rapidly whenever the ball reaches his feet.
Squad hierarchy and upcoming fixtures
Italian media reports indicate that Grabara will start on the substitute bench when Juventus face Parma on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., with Vicario expected to line up in the starting eleven.
Vicario was unable to complete Juventus's recent 1-0 victory over Frosinone Calcio due to muscle cramps, which required Perin to play the closing minutes of that match.
Journalist Mirko Di Natale from website Tutto Juve reported that Grabara will initially serve as second choice behind Vicario, though the team hierarchy could change as the season progresses.
Di Natale explained that following Perin's exit, Juventus sought an experienced goalkeeper and had already tracked Grabara several years ago, meaning he was not a new target for the club.
While Vicario currently holds the starting role, Di Natale added that Grabara is set to receive playing time in both the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Europa League.
