Pepe Reina, the 41-year-old former Spain goalkeeper, has joined newly-promoted Serie A club Como on a one-year deal.
The signing was announced by the club on Thursday, with Reina set to serve as a backup goalkeeper to Pau Lopez, who is expected to arrive from Marseille.
Reina brings a wealth of experience to Como, having played for top European clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich. He has also had success in Italy, winning the 2014 Italian Cup with Napoli and playing for AC Milan and Lazio.
The veteran goalkeeper has 36 international caps and was part of the Spanish squads that won the World Cup and two European Championships between 2008 and 2012. He joins former teammate Cesc Fabregas at Como, which is preparing for its first top-flight season in 21 years.
Como has been active in the transfer market this summer, signing five players, including Italy international forward Andrea Belotti. The club is also pursuing former France defender Raphael Varane.
Despite its glamorous image and picturesque location on Lake Como, the club was involved in a controversy earlier this week when one of its players made a racist comment about South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan during a friendly match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Como’s signing of Reina is a significant move for the club, which has been bankrolled by tobacco giants Djarum since its acquisition in 2019. The club has rapidly risen through the divisions and is now preparing for its first season in Serie A since 2003.
