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Juventus have clinched the signing of Italy's Gianluigi Buffon from Parma in a �23.3m deal - a world record for a goalkeeper.

Buffon, 23, joins Juve as 26-year-old midfielder Jonathan Bachini goes in the opposite direction.

The arrival of the international keeper looks set to spark a succession of goalkeeping moves in Serie A, with Dutch international keeper Edwin van der Sar leaving the stadio Delle Alpi.

Buffon said: "Juventus are a very big team and I'm sure we are going to win lots of trophies."

Toldo may join Inter

He added after meeting Parma president Stefano Tanzi: "They are content that everything has gone well, for me to wear the shirt of Juve is a great honour."

Van der Sar had an inconsistent season and came under fire from a section of the Juventus supporters after some shaky performances in the club's Champions League campaign.

Buffon will link up with former Parma team mate Lilian Thuram who joined the Turin club last month, with Van der Sar likely to join Barcelona.

The keeper made his debut for Parma, his only club, in 1996 and has been their first choice goalkeeper ever since.

He was set to be Italy's keeper at Euro 2000 until he was ruled out by a hand injury on the eve of the finals, but has since won back his place from Francesco Toldo.

Juventus are a very big team and I'm sure we are going to win lots of trophies

Gianluigi Buffon

As well as Van der Sar, Juventus also have Uruguay goalkeeper Fabian Carini on their books, giving them a trio of first-choice international goalkeepers.

Top goalkeepers Toldo and Sebastian Frey could also be on the move after Buffon's switch.

Parma finally agreed to let Buffon leave after securing a replacement for the Italian international.

And 21-year-old Inter Milan keeper Frey will come to the Ennio Tardini as Buffon's successor, while Toldo seems set to end his eight-year association with Fiorentina and fill the young Frenchman's boots in the Nerazzurri side.

Buffon's move to the Stadio Delle Alpi was agreed last week but the move was delayed because Toldo refused to join Parma.


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