Riccardo Calafiori’s Arsenal Shirt Number Revealed Following Transfer
Riccardo Calafiori will don the number 33 jersey for Arsenal this season after completing his transfer from Bologna.
The 22-year-old defender finalized a £42 million move to the Gunners on Monday. He posed for photos with manager Mikel Arteta at the club’s pre-season training camp in Philadelphia.
Calafiori began his career with Roma before joining Swiss club FC Basel in 2022. He then returned to Serie A with Bologna last season, where he played a pivotal role in Thiago Motta’s team, helping them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in over six decades.
The Italy international might make his debut for Arsenal early Thursday morning when they face Liverpool at Lincoln Financial Field. Fans, however, won’t have to wait until then to know his squad number for the 2024-25 season, as Arsenal has announced that he will wear the number 33 shirt.
This number has been available since goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo left the club at the end of the season. Previous wearers of the number 33 at Arsenal include Matthew Ryan, Petr Cech, and Nicklas Bendtner. Calafiori also wore the number 33 at his former clubs Bologna and Basel and has decided to continue with it at Arsenal.
Sporting director Edu commented on Calafiori’s transfer, saying, “Riccardo has consistently demonstrated his quality for both his club and country.”
