Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus: Latest Transfer Details, Comments and Reaction

Gonzalo Higuain has completed a move away from Napoli, joining Serie A rivals Juventus on a five-year deal, the club announced.

Transfer speculation regarding the Argentina international has been around for some time, most likely as a result of a sensational 2015-16 campaign in which he broke former AC Milan striker Gunnar Nordahl's Serie A record for goals in a season (35), scoring 36.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

The 28-year-old became Napoli's main attacking weapon when he joined the club from Real Madrid in 2013, but despite his consistent individual success, the club couldn't break Juventus' dominance in Serie A.

Last season was perhaps the most painful one for the Partenopei, who watched as Juventus struggled tremendously at the start of the season only to go on a lengthy winning streak to pass them in the standings.

Lancia/Associated Press

The lack of silverware likely contributed to Higuain's decision to leave, as he's in his prime and has established himself as one of the world's best strikers over the past few years. He deserves to be competing for major silverware every season.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis long maintained the player would not be sold, and speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss (h/t FourFourTwo), he said Higuain had told him he would stay back in June.

Per B/R UK's Adam Digby, the fact he was unusually silent when new rumours first emerged was telling:

Higuain's move to Turin makes Juventus' grip on Serie A that much tighter, as he becomes the second star player to join the Bianconeri from a direct rival, after Miralem Pjanic's move from AS Roma earlier this year.

The Old Lady seem ready for a serious assault on the UEFA Champions League, and the path to a sixth straight Italian title is wide open.

The loss of Higuain will be keenly felt in Naples, making the gap between the Partenopei and Juventus even wider. A title challenge seems unlikely in the immediate future, but De Laurentiis now gets to work with the hefty transfer fee. With the right additions, this move could turn out to be a smart one for Napoli in the long run.