Transfer News: Sami Khedira Joins Juventus From Real Madrid

Juventus confirmed that Sami Khedira had already joined them on a free-transfer from Real Madrid.

"Juventus Football Club has today completed the signing of Sami Khedira," read a statement on the Club's official website.

The German defensive midfielder's contract run out this summer, as the Bernabeu hierarchy failed to cash in on him when they had the chance last summer and in January. Selling him would have been the best thing to do, in retrospect, since the former Stuttgart man only featured 17 times, most of them as a substitute.

Arsenal, who were perceived to be in need of physical presence in front of the defensive line, were heavily linked with the 28-year-old. Chelsea were also in the mix because of Jose Mourinho, who was responsible for Khedira's move to the Spanish capital and had coached him there for three years.

Khedira's term as a part of the Bianconeri will officially start on July 1, signing a four-year contract that will see him don the striped black-and-white shirt until 2019.

He will join Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal in forming one of the most formidable deep-lying midfield defense in Europe, unless the latter leaves Turin.

On the international scene, Khedira has, thus far, earned a total of 55 caps from the seniors national team, winning the 2014 World Cup in the process. He also helped an under-21s side clinch the UEFA U-21 Championship in 2009.

At club level, he won a domestic league title each in both Germany and Spain, as well as the Champions League in 2013-14, among others. Injuries have only been the drawback of Khedira that affected his participation for club and country since 2013. Nevertheless, he still has a huge upside, as he is still considered to be one of the best players who is still in his prime. However, he will need to keep himself healthy for the remainder of his playing years for him to get back to tip-top form before he enters the twilight of his career.