Juventus signs centre-half Mattia Caldara from Atalanta

With a dependable defensive core beginning to show its age amid a series of injuries, Juventus has made a move with an eye on the future, nabbing prodigious Italian centre-half Mattia Caldara from Atalanta.

Caldara, 22, signs on a deal through 2021 for an initial fee of €15 million, Juventus announced Thursday. The fee will be paid over a four-year period and has the potential to rise another €10 million based on performance-related conditions. Caldara will rejoin La Dea on loan until June 2018.

The Italian youth international is just one of many emerging Atalanta stars who have become objects of desire for marquee top-tier sides, with midfielder Roberto Gagliardini joining Inter on Wednesday and Franck Kessie slated for a high-profile move.

With Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, and Leonardo Bonucci all racking up the mileage, Caldara and current Bianconeri youngster Daniele Rugani will be looked upon as the centre-backs of the future for Max Allegri's lot.

After Caldara's progression with Atalanta, there's no reason to think that the Bergamo-born defender can't also be a future Italian senior international. Caldara emerged from La Dea's celebrated academy in 2013 before enjoying successive loan spells with Trapani and Cesena.

This season, Caldara has made a dozen appearances in all competitions for Gian Piero Gasperini's side, bagging three Serie A goals for sixth-placed Atalanta.