Raphael Varane excited to join 'special' project at Cesc Fabregas-led Como 1907 after leaving Manchester United
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Published 28/07/2024 at 21:55 GMT+1
Raphael Varane will begin a new chapter in Serie A next season as the former Manchester United defender signs a two-year contract with Como 1907, managed by Cesc Fabregas. The Frenchman left United at the end of last season on the expiration of his contract and links up with former Barcelona and Spain rival Fabregas who achieved promotion to the Italian top flight in his first managerial role.
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Raphael Varane has signed for newly promoted Serie A side Como 1907 following his exit from Manchester United.
The French defender was made a free agent at the expiration of his contract at the end of last season and has signed a two-year contract with the Italian side with an option to extend.
Varane will join ex-Liverpool players Pepe Reina and Alberto Moreno, as Cesc Fabregas’ Como bid to stay in Italy’s top flight following promotion.
And the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder said the signing was indicative of the club’s lofty ambitions.
“Raphael is a special player and his signing is proof of the ambition we have for this club,” said Fabregas. “He is highly decorated and the experience he brings in two of the best leagues in the world cannot be underestimated.
"I can’t wait to start working with him.”
The four-time UEFA Champions League winner struggled with his fitness last campaign, making just 16 Premier League starts for United.
But the 31-year-old is hoping that a fresh start at a “special” project will revitalise his glittering career.
”I’m very happy and excited about this new project, and I can’t wait to get started and meet up with the team and my team-mates,” said Varane in Como’s announcement.
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“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.
“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.”
Varane’s reunion with Fabregas is the first where both will be pulling in the same direction, after facing each other for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
The pair also locked horns representing their national sides, and Varane was impressed by initial conversations between himself and the Como head coach.
“I’m meeting Cesc again, but not as an opponent this time,” said Varane. “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.”
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