Juventus have confirmed that they have signed centre-back Medhi Benatia permanently.
The Morocco international moved to the Turin side last summer on loan with a view to a permanent deal, an option the Champions League finalists have since exercised.
The 30-year-old has penned a three-year deal at the club for a fee believed to be in the region of €20m.
“Juventus are pleased to announce that they have exercised the option to make Medhi Benatia’s initial season-long loan from Bayern Munich permanent,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“The 30-year-old defender has signed a contract that ties him to the Bianconeri until 30 June 2020.
“Composure, strength and positional sense. Benatia has brought all of the above to the Bianconeri party during his debut campaign at the club.
“Upon joining from Bayern last summer, the defender hit the ground running with two goals in the pre-season tour of Melbourne and Hong Kong, as he found the net in wins over Tottenham Hotspur and South China.
“He would save his best goal for one of the biggest league games this term, as he both started and finished off a fine, flowing move to bury past Gianluigi Donnarumma for the opener in March’s crucial victory over Milan.
“That strike ensured the centre-back has now scored in all seven seasons in which he’s played in Europe’s top divisions: Serie A (with Udinese, Roma and Juventus) and the German Bundesliga (with Bayern Munich).
“It’s clear that Benatia boasts superb ball-playing ability: his 91.4 per cent of successful passes is the best of any member of the Bianconeri backline this term.
“Meanwhile, he has also excelled in his more traditional defensive tasks, making 55 clearances and 90 recoveries in 18 appearances across all competitions.
“The Morocco captain has played his part in Juve’s Champions League campaign, featuring in four victories and one draw en route to Cardiff.
“Benatia’s first, impressive chapter in black and white is coming to a close, but Bianconeri fans can now look forward to at least another three years together.”
Benatia has made 11 Serie A starts for Juventus this season to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.11.
For more stats on Medhi Benatia, click here to view his WhoScored player page
