One of the world’s great defenders, the French international joined Juventus FC prior to the start of the 2001/02 season, despite intense interest from the likes of Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF and S.S. Lazio. Eventually choosing Juventus ahead of them, Thuram agreed a five-year contract worth €3.49m a season, which will take him through almost to the age of 35. While the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship winner plays at right-back for France, he was bought by Juventus FC to replace Ciro Ferrara in central defence. Grew up in Guadaloupe wanting to be a priest until he realised his talents lay elsewhere. Remarkably quick and utterly reliable, he would have been disappointed that Zinedine Zidane, his France team mate, left the famous Turin club as he joined it. He had never scored for France until the 1998 World Cup semi-final against Croatia, when he hit two goals in a 2-1 victory. Before joining Juventus, he played 163 games for Parma AC and before that, 155 games for AS Monaco FC.