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After being linked to multiple moves abroad, most notably in England, 21 year old Goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski took the microphone with Antognoni today to announce his new, long-term contract. During the press conference, the Dragon took the time to express confidence in the new management and to promise hard work for the team.
With Alban Lafont on loan in France for the season, Dragowski has been assured the starting spot, while 31 year old Pietro Terracciano will serve as his understudy. This opportunity seems to excite the Under-21 international, who told the crowd, “Today, I am very content because, finally, my moment at Fiorentina has arrived.”
These types of statements show someone ready to prove themselves and ready to grow alongside a team that has so transparently increased their ambitions from last season. Having joined the club from Białystok all the way back in 2016, the highly-rated prospect found himself primarily on the bench until he was loaned to Empoli for the back half of last season.
It was there he found the form that proved himself to the new management. Reporters in Florence were quick to enquire about his impressive performance against Atalanta, in which he set a new league record for most saves made during a game.
Check out some of those saves here:
Despite this incredible performance, Empoli couldn’t save themselves from relegation and ended the season with only 6 clean sheets for the entire year. Drągowski certainly isn’t to blame for the whole of Empoli’s defensive problems, however, as the Tuscan team conceded less goals, on average, when he was stationed behind their leaky-faucet of a back line.
Regardless, it is good to see the club showing such commitment to the young prospect. Fans will also certainly be happy to see that he seems to have matured to the point where he is ready and willing to accept the big challenge.
Proving his maturity, he’s no longer wearing the number 69. That’s great, because he’s about to turn 22. For those keeping count, that’s ten years older than twelve.
It’s also two years younger than I. And if I was still 22, I’d have kept the number and told my boss to get a sense of humor about it, you uptight jerk.