‘Superman’ Buffon returns to Parma

MILAN: Goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon has returned to Parma two decades after leaving the Italian club who were relegated last season.

“He is back where he belongs, he is back home. Superman returns,” the club said on Twitter.

In a video, 43-year-old Buffon declared: “I’m back”, later adding on social media: “And now let’s keep having fun.”

Buffon confirmed last month he was leaving Juventus, the club he played for since moving from Parma in 2001, apart from one season with Paris Saint-Germain in 2018-2019.

“Parma Calcio 1913 can confirm having reached an agreement with Gianluigi Buffon for a contract that will sign him to the club until 30 June 2023,” the club said in a statement.

“As such, exactly 20 years after his last game for Parma, Gigi will wear the Gialloblu colours again. He does so having won pretty much everything there is to win in the game.”

Buffon holds the record for Serie A matches played with 657, since his first with Parma in 1995 as a 17-year-old.