Prodigal son Bonucci returns to Old Lady

MILAN, Italy (AP):

Leonardo Bonucci sensationally returned to Juventus from AC Milan yesterday, with Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara moving the other way.

Bonucci won six Serie A titles in seven years at Juventus but the Italy defender joined Milan last year in what was the shock of the transfer window for a fee of more than EU40 million amid reports of a dressing room spat.

The 31-year-old Bonucci, who has reportedly taken a pay cut to move back to the club, signed a five-year deal. He was jeered by some Juventus fans on his arrival at the club's headquarters yesterday.

"It's an emotional day," Bonucci said. "Turin is my home and Juventus is my home and I'm happy to be back."

Bonucci was given the captain's armband at Milan but struggled initially and only returned to somewhere near his best in the second part of the season.

He celebrated wildly after scoring at Juventus in his first match against his former team, having been booed non-stop by the home supporters.

Milan finished sixth in Serie A last season, 31 points behind champion Juventus.

Juventus said in a statement that Bonucci and Caldara are direct swaps with each player being valued at EU35 million.

Caldara signed a five-year deal at Milan.

The 24-year-old Caldara is set to form a partnership with Alessio Romagnoli, with the duo widely viewed as two of Italian football's finest young defenders.

Caldara burst onto the scene two seasons ago with seven goals for Atalanta. That persuaded Juventus to sign him in January 2017, but the Bianconeri loaned him back to Atalanta until this June.

The 23-year-old Romagnoli is expected to take over the captain's armband from Bonucci.

Higuain is the only player who has moved initially on loan, with Milan paying EU18 million euros for the services of the 30-year-old Argentina forward for next season. The Rossoneri have the right to buy Higuain for EU36 million euros at the end of the campaign.