Gracias, Juan

Juan Cuadrado’s return to parent club Chelsea has been confirmed today, bringing an end to a magical one-year loan spell with Juventus, a club with which the winger lifted both a history-making fifth consecutive Scudetto crown and a record 11th Coppa Italia trophy.

Although only donning the club’s famous colours for a solitary season, the Colombian can deservedly look back at his time in Turin with pride and departs Italy as a firm favourite among Bianconeri fans.

After all, it was Juan’s sliding finish at Juventus Stadium on Halloween night against Torino that brought his temporary home to its feet and earned his team the first of an astonishing 15 victories throughout the winter to seize control of the title race.

It is moments like that – sure to live long in the memories of all that were there to witness it - that will ensure a lasting affection for Cuadrado whose parting gift to the Juve faithful was equally as dramatic, an inch-perfect assist for Alvaro Morata in May’s cup final triumph over Milan at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

In between, the 28-year old would add put crucial Serie A strikes past Frosinone, Genoa and Palermo, not to mention a remarkably cool contender for goal of the season against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, but focusing only on Juan’s penalty-box contributions would be somewhat limiting, such has been his impact on the champions.

Moulded into a multi-purpose wing-back over the course of the campaign, the wideman topped the Juventus charts for free-kicks won by some distance (88), completed on average more successful dribbles with more frequency than his colleagues (one every 24 minutes) all while creating a scoring opportunity once every 47, second only to fellow South American Alex Sandro (36).

Ultimately, football is a game to be celebrated and Juan’s infectious flair, flamboyancy, passion and perserverance have ensured that Bianconeri fans the world over have done just that in the ten months since his eagerly welcomed arrival at Juventus Stadium on 28 August.

It is with great pleasure that all associated with Juventus Football Club wish Juan the very best for the future and extend their thanks for an unforgettable year spent in each other’s company.

Gracias, Juan.