09 July 2017
Juventus Football club can today confirm that wing-back Stephan Lichtsteiner has completed a move to join x on a permanent transfer, bringing an end to a stunningly successful five-year spell with the Italian champions, which yielded six Coppa Italia and Super Cup trophies and a quintet of Scudetto triumphs.
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In parting ways with Lichtsteiner, the Old Lady waves goodbye to a player whose contributions have irrevocably rewritten the club’s history books and whose remarkable professionalism stands as an example for players and supporters alike.
Stephan departs Turin as the scorer of the first ever goal in a competitive fixture at Juventus Stadium – a strike that came on his own club debut - a five-time Italian champion and with a permanent place in the hearts of the club’s fans to whom he has given half a decade of magnificent service.
As one of the players to define the new Juventus area that began in the Summer of 2011 and reached unprecedented heights in the Spring just passed, the monumental nature of the Swiss’ Bianconeri bow was a clear indication of what was to come from the committed and relentlessly energetic wideman.
The timing of the dart in from the touchline to collect Andrea Pirlo’s lofted pass, the impeccable first touch and the ice-cool finish against Parma on Juventus Stadium’s big day on 11 September 2011 was pure Lichtsteiner and a perfect demonstration of all of the 32-year old’s extensive qualities.
From then on, Stephan went from strength to strength, playing 35 out of a possible 38 league matches as the Bianconeri reclaimed the Scudetto without losing a game and deservedly cemented his place as an immovable fixture down the team’s right-hand side.
That first season of success will naturally always be the most memorable yet the fifth and most recent could well stand as the sweetest for Juventus’ number 26. Not only did the past campaign see the Swiss star add to his already bursting trophy cabinet, it also confirmed the notion that there is no keeping a good man down for long.
Returning to first-team action just one month after undergoing heart surgery with a fabulous volleyed goal against Borussia Monchengladbach, Lichtsteiner produced the kind of response to adversity that only he is capable of.
That heart, desire and dedication ensure that he will always be remembered by Juventus fans.
Thank you, Stephan.
