Juventus legend Leonardo Bonucci to terminate contract and sign one-year deal with Union Berlin

• Been at Juve since 2010
• Medical scheduled at Union
• Seeking Champions League football

WHAT HAPPENED? The Juve legend — who has made over 500 appearances for the club across a total of 12 seasons — has reportedly agreed to a move to Union Berlin and plans to terminate his contract with Juventus in favour of a one-year deal with the Bundesliga club. According to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg, the 36-year-old has a medical scheduled, and the move is well on the way to being completed.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: A key factor in Bonucci's move to Germany is the lack of continental football on offer at Juve this season following the financial scandal that saw the club banned from playing in Europe for one year. Union, meanwhile, will be playing in the Champions League for the first time in their history this season. Thursday's group stage draw confirmed that the Berlin side will occupy Group C alongside Real Madrid, Napoli, and Braga.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty/GOAL

WHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS? Bonucci's departure reflects the cold, hard reality that 2023-24 will see Juventus not competing in Europe for the first time since the 2011-12 season. However, this could give them a unique opportunity to focus entirely on getting their hands back on the Serie A title.