Former Aston Villa and Liverpool star links up with Arsenal and Chelsea hero and £24.8m Wolves flop

Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Pepe Reina has prolonged his career after he signed with Serie A newcomers Como.

Reina, now 41, has penned a one-year deal with Como, who were promoted to the Italian top-flight earlier this year. His new manager will be former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

He spent the past two years playing for Villarreal in what was his second spell at the La Liga club. Unai Emery signed him, but only managed him for a few months before taking up the job at Villa Park.

After his arrival, Reina commented after signing: ‘I arrive in a beautiful project, a family that continues to grow and tries to raise the bar every year. I return to a league that I know well and that I know is very competitive, for my part I want to give my contribution to the development of this club’.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper was at Villa on loan in the 2019/20 season, and made 12 appearances, keeping two clean sheets. He is most remembered for his time at Anfield, spending eight years on Merseyside, playing just under 400 games as he helped them to a Carabao Cup win in 2012. Reina also played for Napoli, Bayern Munich and AC Milan. During his time in Germany and Italy he won the Bundesliga title and the Coppa Italia.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pepe to the club,” said Fabregas to the official club website.

“He is a goalkeeper with great international experience and a very competitive mentality. For these reasons, I am sure that his contribution will help the team to grow and improve’.

The Spaniard isn't the only former Premier League player expected to arrive in Lombardy this summer. Raphael Varane after leaving Manchester United is in the final steps of completing his move, whilst Alberto Moreno is also rumoured to be on their transfer shortlist.

Como already have Patrick Cutrone on their books, following an unsuccessful spell with Wolves. He cost Wolves £24.8m but only scored three times in 28 games, and was sent out on loan to Fiorentina, Valencia and Empoli before being allowed to join Como for a nominal fee in August 2022.