Morocco defender Medhi Benatia is targeting more success with Juventus after joining the Serie A champions on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich.
Benatia, 29, completed his move to the Turin giants on Friday in a deal that gives Juventus the option to make the signing permanent.
“The aim this season is that of retaining the Scudetto but also to be increasingly competitive in Europe as well,” Benatia said as he was presented at Saturday’s press conference.
“It’s undoubtedly our objective to confirm our position among the elite clubs on the continent.”
Juventus secured a record-equalling fifth straight Serie A title last season, but the Old Lady haven’t won the Champions League since lifting the trophy for the second time in 1996.
Juventus reached the final in 2015, losing 3-1 to Barcelona, but the Italians were knocked out in the last 16 this past season by Benatia’s former employers, Bayern.
He returns to Italy after just two seasons in Germany having threatened to leave Bayern in May as the Bundesliga champions courted Germany centre-back Mats Hummels, who completed a switch from Borussia Dortmund before Euro 2016.
Benatia spent three years with Udinese before joining Roma for the 2013-14 campaign, prior to leaving for Bayern at the start of the following campaign in a transfer worth 30 million euros ($33.1 million).
“Bayern is a fantastic club, but I ultimately endured a difficult couple of seasons due to a few too many injuries,” he said.
“I wanted to return to Italy for my family, the Serie A and the way of life here. I feel more at home with the Italian mindset and to join Juventus was a logical choice for me.” – Agence France-Presse
