Turin, Italy - After joining Juventus in the most expensive transfer in Italian football history, Gonzalo Higuain has already set his sights on a Champions League title.
At his presentation Thursday, Higuain declared that Juventus' goal this season is a treble - winning Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Champions League.
“Clearly it's a dream but that's what we've got to work for all season,” the Argentina striker said. “I hope to win a lot of titles with Juve. ... Now it's up to me to show why they spent so much money to buy me.”
Higuain moved from Italian rival Napoli for 90 million euros ($99 million), which also ranks as the third-most expensive transfer in world football - after Gareth Bale's 101 million euro move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 and Cristiano Ronaldo's 94 million euro deal from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009.
Making a big statement of its ambitions in Europe, Juventus has also signed playmaker Miralem Pjanic from Roma, winger Dani Alves from Barcelona and defender Medhi Benatia from Bayern Munich.
Juventus has won Serie A for the past five seasons and was the Champions League runner-up to Barcelona last year.
The 28-year-old Higuain signed a five-year contract with the Turin club.
His 36 goals last season helped Napoli finish second behind Juventus and broke a 66-year-old Serie A record for goals scored in a single season.
Higuain joined Napoli from Real Madrid in 2013 and went on to score 71 goals in 104 matches in Serie A for the southern club.
“I spent three marvelous years at Napoli and I can only thank the fans for all the love they showed for me,” Higuain said. “I've read a lot of insults aimed at me and all I can say is I understand their anger. I made the choice I had to make.” - AP