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Allegri: 'We've signed Mario'

June 19, 2015

Weeks after losing in the Champions League final, the Juventus coach has told Sky Sports that the Atletico Madrid center-forward has signed for the dominant force in Serie A.

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Fussball Spieler Mario Mandzukic
Image: picture-alliance/Pixsell/R. Anic

Juventus coach Max Allegri has confirmed the club has signed former Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg striker Mario Mandzukic.

The Croat is expected to pen a four-year-deal in Turin after a reported fee of 18-million-euro ($20.4 million) had been agreed between Juventus and Atletico Madrid.

"We signed Mandzukic because we wanted him," Allegri told Sky Sports. "He's a great player and I am very happy he's here. Mandzukic has scored goals in every league; he has great character, is an international player and will do well."

Since losing the Champions League final to Barcelona, Allegri has been busy adding to his squad and improving the options at his disposal for next season. Germany's Sami Khedira completed a move to the club last month at the end of his contract at Real Madrid.

No replacement for Tevez

The Italian champions may need to replace Carlos Tevez who has hinted at a return to Argentine heavyweights Boca Juniors. But Allegri admitted Mandzukic isn't a simple successor for Tevez.

"It's not like we have to replace Tevez," he said. "It's more a case of signing players and evaluating our playing style. Mandzukic is here, we have Simone Zaza, Kingsley Coman, Alvaro Morata and Dybala - all of whom are young, quality players.

"By the end of the summer transfer period, we could have 10 under-23 players in the squad and this is very important for the future of the club."

Mandzukic has scored 19 goals in 60 games for Croatia since making his national team debut in 2007.

The striker was on the books of Wolfsburg for two seasons before joining Bayern Munich - a club where he won the treble under the tutelage of Jupp Heynckes. In 110 Bundesliga games, the 29-year-old scored 53 goals.

rd (AFP)