Mattia Perin has explained his departure from Juventus and his move to Palermo in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. The goalkeeper wanted a change of environment, a regular role and a new sense of purpose. He also assessed the challenge of rebuilding Juventus after a difficult season. TuttoMercatoWeb published an account of the conversation and the reasons behind his decision.
A decision to start again
Perin said he had been considering a change for some time before Palermo made contact. He accepted the opportunity quickly, even though the Sicilian club competes in Serie B. As quoted in the Italian report, he said: “I didn’t think twice.” He saw the transfer as a chance to renew his motivation rather than simply to move to a different team.
Why the Palermo project appealed
The stability of the City Football Group project was important to Perin. He had also noticed Palermo’s quality during a friendly against Juventus in Perth before his transfer. His new club aims to return to Serie A, and the goalkeeper wants to play a meaningful part in that ambition. The move did not mean that his connection with his former teammates and Juventus had disappeared.
He still wanted to become number one
Perin acknowledged that he hoped to establish himself as Juventus’ first-choice goalkeeper, particularly during periods when he was given a run of appearances. Being ready whenever called upon was part of his job, but his competitive ambition never went away. In his farewell message, he reflected that players can matter greatly to a club without always being its most visible figures.
What he thinks Juventus needs
Perin also commented on the situation at Juventus. After finishing sixth, he believes one transfer window is unlikely to transform a team immediately. Recruitment decisions, daily effort and patience are all required. He voiced confidence in the abilities of Carnevali, Massara and Luciano Spalletti to build a stronger side, even though Juventus supporters are accustomed to expecting immediate victories.
Juventus officially announced Perin’s permanent transfer to Palermo on 26 August 2026. He left having made 71 appearances and won four trophies with the Bianconeri. These are the reflections of a former player, not a statement of club policy or an announcement about future transfers. The AI illustration is a fictional portrait, not a photograph from the interview.
References and documents
TuttoMercatoWeb — interview report · Juventus — official transfer · TuttoMercatoWeb — Juventus comments
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