Wojciech Szczesny released by Juventus as contract mutually terminated

Wojciech Szczesny has agreed to leave Juventus by mutual consent, making the Polish goalkeeper the tenth first-team player to depart since the end of last season.

Among new arrivals, a combined €70m has been spent on Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram.

Szczesny had another year on his current but the termination sees the veteran stopper leave a year earlier than expected. Juve had already signed Michele Di Gregorio on an initial loan with obligation to buy from Monza and the 27-year-old takes over as No.1 in Turin.

For Szczesny, a transfer to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League was on the cards, but a proposed move broke down when a fee couldn't be agreed. With Szczesny replaced as Juve seek to reduce costs and lower the average age of the squad, the club opted to cut their losses and the player accepted.

It remains to be seen where Szczesny may land. A move to Al Nassr is, in theory, now possible without additional hurdles. But the 34-year-old could pique the interest of a number of European clubs who may consider the opportunistic addition of an experienced goalkeeper a smart move.

Szczesny made his name at Arsenal, moving to London from his native Warsaw as a 16-year-old and becoming a first-team starter shortly before turning 21. But he was benched by Arsene Wenger after being caught smoking in the showers following a game at Southampton and subsequently joined Roma on loan for two years until Juventus signed him on a permanent transfer in 2017.

In Turin, Szczesny initially split duties with Juve legend Gianluigi Buffon but succeeded the veteran Italian as number one in 2018. Even after Buffon returned for a final swansong a year later, he never relinquished that place and made 35 appearances during his last Serie A campaign last season.

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