Riccardo Calafiori Reveals How Jorginho “Forced” Him To Join Arsenal

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has credited former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho for playing a pivotal role in persuading him to join Arsenal this summer.

Riccardo Calafiori will be uniting with Jorginho at the Emirates Stadium this summer after playing together for Italy’s national team at the just concluded Euro 2024 in Germany.

Calafiori, who recently made a €50 million switch from Bologna to Arsenal, expressed his admiration for Jorginho’s character, describing him as a “really good guy” who exerted influence on his decision to join the Gunners.

In an interview with the club’s official website, Calafiori revealed Jorginho’s encouraging words, saying, “I just met [Jorginho] one month ago, but I can see that he’s a really good guy. I was already convinced but he forced me.

“He said: ‘Come, come, come! You will enjoy being here, the team is amazing and the staff, everything is good.’”

He added, “You can see that already from the first few minutes here.”

Riccardo Calafiori, who made a strong impression during Euro 2024, brings versatility to Arsenal’s defensive lineup, being capable of playing in the centre or on the left.

The 22-year-old Italian defender is currently with the Gunners in the United States where the Premier League giants are currently undergoing pre-season training.