Paulo Dybala officially unveiled at Juventus, will wear No. 21
The only Serie A player to put up double figures in both goals and assists last season was officially unveiled at Juventus on Tuesday.
Paulo Dybala - who completed a €32-million move to the Old Lady from Palermo in June after signing a five-year contract - spoke at his introductory press conference on what Juventus referred to as "#DybalaDay," outlining his ambitions and revealing the shirt number he'll wear with his new club.
Summer signing @PauDybala_JR speaks in his opening press conference #DybalaDay pic.twitter.com/Bp8hnNvWCI
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) July 14, 2015
"Playing for a great club like Juventus represents an important step for me," Dybala said. "I hope to develop both as a player and as a person and to become a key member of the team. This is the perfect club to start winning things in my career."
In attendance for Juventus' 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the final of the Champions League, Dybala added: "Last year Juventus enjoyed a great season. It's a pity that they could not win the Champions League, but I think the club can go one step further this campaign."
Capable of featuring as a forward as well as an in a deeper position, Dybala revealed that he'll feel comfortable playing wherever manager Massimiliano Allegri thinks is appropriate, saying: "Regarding my position on the field, I have operated both behind the strikers and up front so I'll need to speak to Allegri to find out where he sees me best fit in his plans."
Dybala, who notched 13 goals and 10 assists last season, will take the pitch at Juventus Stadium with the same shirt number that he donned at Palermo.
Here's @PauDybala_JR displaying his number 21 shirt! #DybalaDay pic.twitter.com/TZZfSD4khJ
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) July 14, 2015
Explaining his logic for selecting No. 21, Dybala said: "It's a number that I like. It's my age and was also sported by great players in the past."
Juventus' attack is set to look quite different next season, as Dybala will be joining Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza in front of goal.
Che onore! ⚪️⚫️⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/PUjJ4suN5v
— Paulo Dybala (@PauDybala_JR) July 14, 2015