Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain has left Juventus to join AC Milan, with Italy center-back Leonardo Bonucci going the other way in a swap deal involving another defender in Mattia Caldara.

Bonucci, who only joined I Rossoneri last summer, has returned to Juventus following a disappointing spell at the San Siro, while Higuain has joined the 18-time Serie A winners on an initial €18 million loan deal with the option of a permanent €36 million move at the end of the season.

Caldara, meanwhile, has signed a five-year deal with Gennaro Gattuso's side.

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"AC Milan announces that it has acquired from Juventus FC the right to the sports performances of the players Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara," a statement on Milan's official website reads.

"Gonzalo and Mattia are two important pieces of the new era of the Club. Gonzalo Higuain arrives at AC Milan with the onerous loan formula until June 30, 2019 with the right of redemption.

"Mattia Caldara finally arrives as part of the exchange transaction on a par with Leonardo Bonucci, who returns to Juventus. The 24-year-old defender has signed a contract that binds him to AC Milan until 30 June 2023."

Higuain, 29, signed for Juve from Napoli in 2016, having come off an incredible, record-breaking season in which he scored 36 Serie A goals in 35 appearances. He registered 45 strikes in 73 league outings for I Bianconeri over the course of his two-year stay in Turin, but the club was left with little choice but to let him go following their mega-deal with Cristiano Ronaldo.

His move to Milan is believed to have come as a major blow to Premier League side Chelsea, who were rumored to be interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge where he would have reunited with former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri.

Bonucci, on the other hand, had spent seven years at Juve before leaving for Milan last year.

"It was difficult to imagine that this would happen, but it's fantastic that it has," he declared following his move back. "I'm excited. Turin is my home and Juventus is my home, so I'm really happy to be back."

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