Pepe Reina Joins Lazio On Free Transfer
Pepe Reina has joined Lazio on a free transfer after terminating his contract with AC Milan.
“Lazio announces that it has permanently acquired the sports services of Jose Manuel Reina Paez,” the club said in a brief statement.
The 37-year-old has signed a two-year contract at the Stadio Olympico but will likely serve as a back-up to first choice goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.
“Reina is one of the strongest goalkeepers in history with incredible experience and is a positive person, he’ll help me improve,” said 25-year-old Strakosha.
Reina spent the second half of the 2019/2020 season on loan at Aston Villa, where he played 12 times in the Premier League to help Dean Smith’s men escape relegation on the final day of the season by finishing in 17th position.
Lazio will play in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 13 years next season after finishing fourth in the Serie A last year.
Reina comes with a wealth of experience having played for the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Napoli.
Reina is fondly remembered for his time at Anfield, where he spent nine years and won the 2006 FA Cup and the League Cup in 2012.
Reina, who turns 38 on Monday, will be reunited with former Liverpool teammate Lucas Leiva at Lazio.
He was part of the Spain squads that won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
