Ghana legend Stephen Appiah reveals how French great Lilian Thuram masterminded his move to Juventus

Former Ghana hero Stephen Appiah has recounted how former France international Lilian Thuram played a role in his move to Juventus.

Appiah was an instrumental figure during his three-year stay at Italian side Parma.

The 39-year-old’s success at Ennio Tardini Stadium prompted defending Serie A champions Juventus to pay €2 million in the summer of 2003 to secure his services on loan, with an option to a permanent €6 million transfer in 2004.

Appiah went on to enjoy a good first season for Juventus, playing in 30 Serie A games and appearing in the Coppa Italia final.

He also made his debut in the UEFA Champions League. In his second season at Juventus, Appiah played in 18 Serie A games.

According to Appiah, former France World Cup winning defender Lilian Thuram had a hand in his move to the Turin-based giants.

“After the season I came to Ghana for holiday and [Lilian] Thuram called me. I played with him, [Fabio] Canavaro, [Gigi] Buffon, [Alain] Boghossian at Parma so I was in Ghana and Thuram called and asked, do you want to play for Juventus? and I said my friend, why ask me such a question and he replied that he is serious, so I asked why and he said the Juventus Director [Luciano Moggi] will call me in twenty (20) minutes time and he indeed called me in twenty minutes time,” Appiah told Carol Tshabalala which was monitored by GHANASoccernet.com

“I was so shocked because he [Moggi] was so powerful when it comes to Italian football so for him to call me was an honour. We spoke and he asked me what I was doing and I told him I was with my family on holiday, and he said I should come to Turin the following week so I asked him, director why…and he said you have to come and do your medical because we want to sign you. I was lost for words but I told him to expect me. I flew to Torino and did my medical and I became a Juventus player.”

Appiah spent two years with the Bianconeri before moving to Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 2005.