Raphael Varane has officially joined Serie A club Como following his departure from Manchester United this summer. The 2018 World Cup winner left Old Trafford as a free agent on June 30 after Manchester United chose not to extend his contract.
Major Changes at Manchester United
Varane’s exit is part of a broader overhaul at Manchester United, led by co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. The club has seen significant changes in its staff structure and has invested £88.5 million in new talents, including Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee.
Varane’s Move to Como
Varane’s move to Como comes just a week after the club appointed former Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas as their new manager. Como recently earned promotion back to Serie A, marking their return to the top flight after over two decades.
Varane’s Enthusiasm for the Project
Upon signing with Como, Varane expressed his excitement about the club’s project. He remarked, “At first, I was curious to find out what the project was all about, and then I immediately saw that it was special, different from any other I’d been offered, so I wanted to know more.”
Varane highlighted the unique appeal of Como’s project and his eagerness to contribute: “The more I learned about the project, the more interesting it became, giving me a different perspective on what I wanted to do. Once the project came along, it went straight to the top of the list, and we managed to close the deal. I’m very happy. There’s a lot to do, and it’s very exciting. I have a lot of experience at the highest level, and now to be able to share that knowledge and help a club build itself up and hopefully reach the top is super exciting.”
Reunion with Cesc Fabregas
Varane also expressed his pleasure at reuniting with Cesc Fabregas, albeit in a different capacity: “I’m meeting Cesc again, but not as an opponent this time. I’m very happy, I really like his philosophy of play and his passion for football. When we spoke it was so easy to understand each other, so I hope we’ll have very positive results. In any case, I’m coming with a great deal of humility to help the team and the club grow.”
Changes at Como
Como is also undergoing significant changes this summer. Dennis Wise has stepped down as the club’s chief executive after five years. Upon his departure, Wise issued a pointed statement, indicating that Como had “decided to follow Fabregas’ direction.”
Conclusion
Raphael Varane’s transfer to Como marks a new chapter in his illustrious career. His experience and leadership will be invaluable as the club navigates its return to Serie A. Both Manchester United and Como are in periods of significant transformation, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
