Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri hopes Sami Khedira can lift the Serie A club to the next level as they look to be competitive in the Champions League once again next season.
Juve clinched a fourth straight Serie A title last season but fell at the final hurdle in Europe as they were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the Champions League final.
The Old Lady were league winners by 17 points but ahead of the 2015-16 campaign their rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan have both invested heavily in the transfer market this summer in a bid to cut the gap, while Lazio, Roma and Napoli hope to be in contention.
Allegri, though, feels the addition of Khedira could be essential, telling news conference: "He seems like a little kid on the first day of school.
"He's in great shape because he's been training over the summer and he's really enthusiastic -- it's contagious.
"Sami really wants to win back what he lost last season [when he did not play regularly for Real Madrid]. He's a huge, strong and charismatic signing for us. He's shown great professionalism. You know, in terms of experience we've got all we need. I'm really pleased with this project."
Allegri's squad has undergone an overhaul this summer, with Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez already gone and Arturo Vidal set to follow, and with Khedira, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala arriving.
"In a way, we are right back at square one again," he said. "What we did up to June 6 is already history. Juve must not now drop out of the top eight in Europe again. We are not going to shed our role as favourites for the Scudetto either.
"Our rivals are all working well in the transfer market. Inter have strengthened a lot, Milan are making good moves and we've got to watch out because the Milan teams are the most dangerous in a title race compared to other sides who may not be as experienced at these levels.
"In general, I'm expecting a much more even and extremely difficult season. Roma already had a strong squad and they are right in the middle of their transfer dealings now.
"I'm also curious about Napoli as they are changing players and also their style of play. Yes, it's going to be a great season and I'm working on laying the foundations for another new cycle for Juve with at least another four years at the top, starting with the Supercoppa on Aug. 8.
"With this club and with these players, anything's possible."