OFFICIAL: Fiorentina sign goalkeeper Oliver Christensen

Fiorentina has been looking for a goalkeeper all summer. Kamil Grabara, Guglielmo Vicario, Wladimiro Falcone, Lorenzo Montipò, and a host of others were all linked through the media, but the Viola have instead settled on Oliver Christensen, snapping up the 24-year-old for just €5 million. He’s signed a 4-year contract, and although nobody’s reported his salary yet, it’s likely well under a million per year.

Despite some sub par numbers last year, it’s easy to see what makes Christensen an interesting goalkeeper. He’s quite athletic, especially at 190 cm/6’5, and has every physical tool. He’s a good shot stopper and fearless on crosses, but his knack for making 1-v-1 saves should fit Fiorentina’s high defensive line well. He’s also known for his accurate long passing, which should help the Viola bypass high pressure.

The real question, of course, is when and if he’ll supplant Pietro Terracciano between the sticks. Despite the club obviously trying to replace him, the World’s Funnest Dad has held onto the number one job with his unfussy, mistake-free performances over the past 2 years, even as a string of would-be challengers—Bartłomiej Drągowski, Pierluigi Gollini, Salvatore Sirigu—have flamed out for various reasons.

For his sake, we all hope that Christensen doesn’t try to play as a libero a la Bart, or forget how to keep his goal like Gollorious, or destroy his Achilles like Sirigu. It’s exciting to have a Dane in the senior side for the first time since Christian Norgaard’s ill-starred stint in Florence (whoops), and we can’t wait to see him in action.