Latest Serie A News

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NAPOLI CONFIRM DOSSENA TALKS


Napoli have confirmed they are in discussions with Liverpool over the possible signing of defender Andrea Dossena.

The Italy full-back only arrived at Anfield last summer in a £7million move from Udinese as the Reds fought off competition from Juventus.

However, Dossena struggled to settle and made only limited appearances in Rafa Benitez's first-team as Liverpool finished runners-up in the Premier League.

Benitez is now understood to be prepared to listen to offers in the region of £6m as he aims to raise transfer funds which would allow him to look for new faces.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis told the Daily Mirror: "I've personally spoken with Rafa Benitez. The negotiation is ongoing."

 

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JOSE: FANS WILL LOVE ETO'O

Jose Mourinho admits he was left angered by the decision to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona, although the Inter Milan coach is delighted to welcome Samuel Eto'o to the San Siro.

Inter are on the verge of completing a deal which would see them receive 45million euros plus Eto'o for Ibrahimovic after both players agreed terms with their prospective clubs.

Mourinho knows it will be a blow to lose last year's leading goalscorer in Serie A but, speaking about the deal for the first time, admitted it is a fantastic bit of business.

"I was a bit angry because no coach is happy to lose Ibrahimovic," he told Sky Italia. "But no one is not happy to have Eto'o: we have lost a top player but we have taken another one.

"If I talk as a coach and a man on the pitch, I say that I don't want to lose this player.

"If I talk as a manager, I say that Inter have done great business: if Ibra is worth 50million euros, Eto'o is not worth 49.

"This is a 100million euro deal for Inter."

Mourinho feels Ibrahimovic will adapt to life at the Nou Camp in no time but insists he would not make a similar move.

"He had this dream and wanted to go," added the Nerazzurri coach. "He told me he would miss me and I told him exactly the same thing.

"He's going to a club in which I worked for four years, Barcelona are an extraordinary club and he will be happy.

"I didn't give him any advice but I spoke to him a few days before the final decision.

"I told him that if he wins the Champions League with Barcelona he won't be doing anything extraordinary, seeing as the Catalans have won it twice in three years.

"I like doing something extraordinary, not what's normal."

Mourinho, who is preparing for his second season in Serie A, steered the Nerazzurri to the title last year but nevertheless faced criticism for not doing better in the Champions League where Inter were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Manchester United.

The former Chelsea boss, who won the competition with Porto, was brought in to boost Inter's European chances and speculation is rife that if they limp out of the Champions League again even another Scudetto might not save him from the sack.

However, Mourinho claims he is not worried.

"If the president wants the Champions League, I will give him the replica I have at home," he said.

"I know that's not what he wants: he's an honest person, he knows there are seven or eight clubs in line for the same objective.

"If he doesn't' know it, I will tell him myself that two or three are stronger than us at the moment."

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic is delighted to be on the verge of completing his switch to the treble winners.

"I feel like a kid," he told El Mundo Deportivo.

"I am immensely happy and have a huge desire to start already at Barcelona."

Ibrahimovic is due to arrive in Barcelona on Sunday before undergoing a medical on Monday, and reports suggest the Sweden striker could be presented the same day if everything goes according to plan.

 

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PAY CUT NO PROBLEM FOR TREZEGUET

David Trezeguet's agent claims the Juventus striker is ready to take a pay cut in order to join AC Milan.

Trezeguet has long been linked with an exit this summer, with Lyon, Roma, Rangers and Manchester City reportedly interested in the France forward.

Milan are in the hunt for a striker following the sale of Kaka and after failing in their latest bid for Sevilla's Luis Fabiano and Antonio Caliendo believes his client would be prepared to reduce his salary to move to the San Siro.

"Of course he would," Caliendo told Corriere Dello Sport. "You can always find a solution when everyone shows good will.

"Milan is worth a sacrifice, David is ready to come meet the demands of his possible new club.

"If a similar hypothesis was made official, we would have no problems in negotiating with Milan."

Caliendo was spotted dining with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani last week, while Rossoneri coach Leonardo admitted he would welcome Trezeguet into the squad with open arms.

And the player's agent believes this could speed matters along.

Caliendo said: "Leonardo and the club's appreciation of Trezeguet represents a undoubted encouragement to discuss things reasonably."

Trezeguet endured a difficult campaign with Juve last term. A groin injury ruled him out for part of the season and he was unable to earn a starting place under former coach Claudio Ranieri.

The 31-year-old who has been at Juve since 2000 and is under contract until June 2011, scored one goal in just two league starts.

 

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BARCA MOVE DELIGHTS IBRAHIMOVIC


Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he feels "like a kid" ahead of his dream switch to Barcelona.

The Inter Milan striker is set to move to the Nou Camp as part of a swap deal which will see Samuel Eto'o head in the other direction.

He is due to arrive in Barcelona on Sunday before undergoing a medical the next day, with reports suggesting he could then be officially presented to the fans if all goes to plan.

The Sweden striker, who was Serie A's top scorer last season, says he cannot wait to get started with the European champions.

He told El Mundo Deportivo: "I feel like a kid.

"I am immensely happy and have a huge desire to start already at Barcelona."

Ibrahimovic and Eto'o are set to swap clubs after Inter and Barcelona agreed a deal which will see the Catalans also pay cash and loan midfielder Alexander Hleb to the Italian side.

 

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IBRAHIMOVIC NEARS BARCA MOVE

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be presented as a Barcelona player on Monday if no late complications arise over his switch from Inter Milan, the Primera Division club confirmed on Saturday night.

Ibrahimovic is due to arrive in Barcelona on Sunday to put the finishing touches on his move, which includes the Sweden striker undergoing a medical with the European champions on Monday morning.

If all goes well and the deal is finalised then the 27-year-old could be officially unveiled by Barca in the Sala Paris at the Nou Camp on Monday evening.

Barca have agreed to pay Inter a reported 45million euros plus Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o in exchange for Ibrahimovic, with Alexander Hleb also set to join the Italian side on loan.

Meanwhile, Barca midfielder Yaya Toure believes the former Ajax and Juventus hitman will be a more than useful addition to the treble winners' squad, saying: "He is a very tall and skilful striker and his characteristics can help us a lot."

 

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REDKNAPP: VIEIRA WANTS TO JOIN SPURS


Harry Redknapp claims Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira wants to join him at Tottenham.

The Spurs chief has made the one-time Arsenal favourite his main summer target, but a move appeared to have stalled earlier in the week.

Redknapp, though, is optimistic a deal can be done and is confident the veteran Frenchman, who is looking for first team football ahead of the 2010 World Cup, would find an ideal fit at White Hart Lane.

"He can stay at Milan but he's willing (to come)," Redknapp told reporters.

"He's thinking: 'I had a great time at Arsenal and now I want to come and be a great player for Tottenham for a couple of years'."

Asked if he was surprised Vieira wanted to come considering his Arsenal connection Redknapp replied: "Yes, it's a courageous move isn't it?

"If he comes and plays well the fans will love him, why shouldn't they, and they'll probably think they've got one over on Arsenal because we've taken one of their great players.

"It will even it out with Sol Campbell perhaps. I think Patrick would improve us. He would give us a real presence in the team.

"He's been there, he's done it all, he's a fantastic professional. He's a leader.

"You need people who have been there and done it and won it and that's what he would give you.

"He's got a good contract there (Milan) but he's definitely interested and I'm interested in him coming. The players will respond to him. He's a proper professional.

"He was a legend at Arsenal and he wants to come to Tottenham to play, not for the money. The money is probably a third of the money he was earning at Milan.

"He wants to come because he wants to play football. He would bring an awful lot to our football club."

 

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LUCIO WANTS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GLORY


New Inter Milan signing Lucio has set his sights on helping the club win the Champions League.

The Brazil defender was presented to the media last night after his move from German giants Bayern Munich.

He won three Bundesliga titles and three DFB-Pokals in five years with Bayern but not Europe's biggest prize.

The Nerazzurri have also so far failed to convert domestic dominance into Champions League success and Lucio is hoping to change that.

"I have joined a great club, a group that, like me, still has a great desire to win, and a very strong team made up of many champions," the Brazil captain said.

"Everyone wants to win the Champions League, not just me, and I'm not thinking any differently to my team-mates.

"The Champions League is one of Inter's objectives because this is a great European team, but we know we will have to face many teams with our same desire."

Lucio knows he is moving to a tough league in Serie A.

He added: "This is my first experience in Italy and I know this country's championship because I have faced Italian teams on many occasions.

"They are difficult opponents who play a very tactical game. With intelligence, I will adapt to a difficult competition."

 

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JUVE WON'T SELL TREZEGUET TO RIVALS


Juventus director of sport Alessio Secco insists they will not sell David Trezeguet to AC Milan or any of their Serie A rivals.

Milan are in the hunt for a striker following the sale of Kaka and after failing in their latest bid for Sevilla's Luis Fabiano, and have been strongly linked with a bid for Trezeguet in recent days.

His agent claimed on Saturday that the Juventus striker is ready to take a pay cut in order to move to the San Siro, but Secco has poured cold water on the idea.

"We haven't received any offer from Milan," he told L'Equipe. "But in any case, even if there were, they would be turned down.

"We would only sell David abroad."

Trezeguet, who has been at Juve since 2000, endured a difficult campaign last term.

He made only two league starts, scoring one goal, as a groin injury ruled him out for much of the season and he was unable to earn a starting place under former coach Claudio Ranieri.

Secco admits Trezeguet, who is under contract until June 2011, is pondering leaving the Stadio Olimpico but is confident the 31-year-old will be there for one more season at least.

"He will also be with us this year, that's practically certain," he told reporters. "Juventus are very happy to keep Trezeguet.

"If he should come to us asking to be sold, and an offer is presented that is interesting for everyone, we could take it into consideration.

"That is the agreement with him and his agent.

"At the end of last season he made us understand that, if the right offer arrived, he would consider a possible transfer."

Lyon, Roma, Rangers and Manchester City have all been linked with Trezeguet, who has a phenomenal strike record having scored more than 160 goals in less than 300 games for Juve.

However, Secco insists they have not received any concrete offers for the France forward.

He added: "It should also be said that, looking at the transfer market situation and his salary, it's not that simple to find a team of his level.

"Until now we haven't received any offers; there has only been interest from foreign teams but they didn't bring us interesting proposals.

"Clearly if he leaves we would bring in another striker, but of course a player with his characteristics is not easy to find.

"That is why we are not looking for buyers: we believe that he can still give a lot to Juve and we don't have the need to sell him."

 

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BARCA POISED TO UNVEIL IBRAHIMOVIC

Barcelona are hoping to be able to present new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to their supporters on Monday.

The Sweden international is due in Catalunya on Sunday to undergo a medical and put the finishing touches to his move from Inter Milan.

Barca are hoping the deal, which will see Samuel Eto'o heading in the opposite direction, can be pushed through without a hitch.

They will then look to showcase their big-money acquisition in a presentation ceremony at Camp Nou.

"If everything goes to plan, and I am hopeful that it is something that is going to be done, we hope to present him tomorrow," Barca's vice-president of sport Rafael Yuste told Sky Sports.

"After long negotiations with Inter Milan we hope to find a way to present him to our fans tomorrow afternoon."

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports 1 after his side beat Al Ahly 4-1 in a pre-season friendly at Wembley, also said Ibrahimovic was close to joining the Nou Camp outfit.

Asked if the deal was done, Guardiola said: "Almost. Finally he can sign for us, it is almost there.

"He is a top player and we are here to help him as soon as possible play to his level."

Barca have also been strongly linked with a move for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, but Yuste insists no agreement is in place to take the Argentina international to Spain.

"I can confirm that Javier Mascherano is a fantastic player, that personally I like a lot, but we have not bid," he added.

"We have a lot of players that want to come to Barcelona and that is all. Mascherano is a fantastic player, but he is with Liverpool.

"In the future you never know."

 

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LEONARDO EYES DOUBLE DEAL

AC Milan coach Leonardo admits his side need to bring in a defender and a striker in order to be competitive this season.

The Italian giants have endured a summer that has seen them lose Kaka to Real Madrid, while their own attempts to strengthen have been thwarted.

A deal for long-term target Luis Fabiano has stalled as Sevilla haggle over the Brazilian's price, with speculation hinting at alternative moves for David Trezeguet, Nicklas Bendtner or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Leonardo is open to the idea of bringing in a new forward but also recognises the need to add a new face to an ageing defence.

"I can't say the group is incomplete, but we need a striker and a defender," he conceded.

 

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ZLATAN ARRIVES IN BARCELONA

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has arrived in Barcelona ahead of his medical scheduled for Monday.

The Inter Milan striker is on the verge of completing a switch to the Nou Camp in a deal which will see Samuel Eto'o move the other way and the Serie A side receive 45million euros.

"I want to form part of Barca's history" Ibrahimovic told Barca TV.

The Sweden striker spent around 15 minutes at the Nou Camp where he was photographed in front of the Barcelona badge and will dine with club president Joan Laporta and other officials on Sunday night.

Ibrahimovic is set for a medical on Monday and, should all go to plan, will be presented as the treble winners' latest recruit at around 1830 local time.

And he has revealed that at that moment he will feel on top of the world.

"It's hard to describe my feelings," continued Ibrahimovic. "Everything seems to be all set, it just needs my signature.

"I'm really pleased and enjoying everything that's happening.

"I really am very, very happy and when this is all settled I'll be the happiest man in the world."

Ibrahimovic has spent the past three seasons at the San Siro but he insists that as soon as Barca came calling there was only one team for him.

"Every player wants to come to Barca, but not everybody can," he said.

"When I saw Barca were interested in me I told my manager to sort it out and he's done a great job.

"Who wouldn't want to come to Barca? I think any player would want to represent what is the best club in Europe and maybe the world.

"The best players have to be at Barca and I hope to be one of them."

Ibrahimovic finished last season as top goalscorer in Serie A, netting 25 times as Inter stormed to their fourth successive title.

The 27-year-old is hoping to continue that scoring streak in the Primera Division.

"I'm coming here with the qualities everyone knows I have," he added. "I play a skilful game, as Barca do and I want to do as well as I have done at Inter.

"The people who know me as a player know what I can bring. I want to learn how Barca play.

"There are champions in every position and I want to learn what I can from all of them.

"I'm coming here ready for anything and anything that I can bring will be great.

"I'll give my best to give everyone something to enjoy."

 

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GATTUSO WANTS BIG-NAME SIGNING

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is hopeful club owner Silvio Berlusconi will gift them a big name player before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Rossoneri have been relatively quiet in the transfer market despite netting around 65million euros from the sale of Kaka to Real Madrid.

They have failed in their bid to sign Sevilla's Luis Fabiano, while Juventus insist they will not sell David Trezeguet to one of their Serie A rivals.

Gattuso has urged Berlusconi to bring in someone who can fire them to glory next campaign.

"Until August 31 we'll be hoping for a gift from our president," he told Sky Italia. "This squad is competitive, but there is the knowledge that we're missing something.

"Let's hope that the president give us a present.

"Something is missing in all parts: an attacker, a wing back. We're not something to throw away, but if someone arrives we can do very well."

Milan will also be concerned about keeping onto their players with reports continuing to suggest Andrea Pirlo could be set to follow former coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea.

Speculation is also rife that Gattuso could leave but the 31-year-old, who is about to start his 10th season with Milan, feels there is an exciting atmosphere under new coach Leonardo and would be delighted to see out his career at the San Siro.

"There's a spirit that hasn't been seen for a long time," added Gattuso. "We are doing well with Leonardo.

"We turned the page after the departure of Ancelotti, with whom there remains a splendid rapport.

"I hope to finish my career here, if I didn't leave last year I believe I won't leave at all.

"I hope Pirlo remains. Apart from the years we have experienced together and all the games we have won together, he is an important player."

 

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MORATTI JUSTIFIES ZLATAN SALE

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti believes the Serie A giants were right to sell Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swedish striker is set to finalise his move to Barcelona, with Cameroon ace Samuel Eto'o heading in the opposite direction.

While Ibrahimovic's precocious talents will undoubtedly be missed at the Giuseppe Meazza, Moratti insists Inter will cope without him.

He believes the agreement with Barca will benefit all concerned and he fully expects Jose Mourinho's side to challenge for major honours in 2009/10.

"It has been quite an affair for both sides. It's been sensational. I don't remember a similar operation between two European clubs," Moratti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But it has happened and I think everything is positive for both sides.

"Ibrahimovic made it clear more than once in the last few months that he wanted to change teams.

"He told me he was keen to continue his development somewhere else. It seems to me that Barcelona is the ideal place to do that."

On Inter's strength heading into the new campaign, Moratti added: "I don't think I would be wrong in saying that this group is as strong as the best teams around.

"Eto'o and (Diego) Milito together up front? I really hope that we will see them together frequently.

"We have to have faith in the ideas of the coach and, from my side, I think we have complete faith."

The addition of Eto'o, and Barca midfielder Alexander Hleb, will see Inter well stocked for attacking talent next season and Moratti has moved to distance the club from ongoing speculation linking them with a move for Deco.

"I think the team is okay so I don't agree with those who say we are missing the 'little cherry'," he said.

Eto'o, meanwhile, has now arrived in Milan and admits he is looking forward to beginning his Italian adventure.

"I am really happy to be at Inter," he said.

"I'm here to work hard and to win the Champions League."

 

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MILAN MAY ENTER HUNTELAAR CHASE


AC Milan coach Leonardo has confirmed his interest in Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, while reiterating his determination to increase his squad.

The former Brazil international has previously admitted the need to bring new faces to San Siro after the departure of Kaka to Real, and he has been linked with Juventus' David Trezeguet.

Huntelaar has also been mentioned as a target after the Dutchman backed out of a move to Stuttgart, while Tottenham and Arsenal are also thought to be tracking the former Ajax star.

Leonardo has now admitted he would be interested in the 25-year-old if Milan decide to enter the transfer market ahead of the deadline at the end of August.

He told the Italian media: "If we find the chance to invest, Huntelaar is a player we would consider."

Pre-season has not gone to plan for Leonardo, who succeeded Carlo Ancelotti this summer, following defeats to Chelsea and derby rivals Inter.

Some have questioned Milan's decision to hand the inexperienced 39-year-old his first management job, but he is keen to be offered time as his squad return to full fitness.

He added following the defeat to Inter: "I don't want to find excuses. Inter played better than us but we were really tired.

"We need a bigger group. We have players like Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Marco Borriello who are coming back after injuries and they need to regain fitness gradually."

 

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MILITO STARS AS INTER BEAT AC

Two goals for Diego Milito earned a 2-0 victory for Inter Milan over bitter rivals AC Milan in the World Football Challenge.

In a disappointing contest at the Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, Jose Mourinho's men were able to boss the match with Milan struggling to create chances.

Milito struck after just four minutes to put Inter ahead, sliding a left-footed shot past the reach of goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac.

The Argentinian striker then doubled the lead after 75 minutes, steering home a pass from Dejan Stankovic.

Milan could have snatched a goal back as the clock ticked down but Julio Cesar made the save to keep substitute Alessandro Nesta at bay.

 

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ETO'O TARGETS EUROPEAN GLORY

Samuel Eto'o arrived in Milan on Monday morning to complete his move to Inter Milan and immediately targeted European glory for his new club.

The Barcelona striker is on the verge of sealing a switch to the San Siro in a deal which will see Zlatan Ibrahimovic move the other way while Inter will also receive 45million euros.

Both players are set to have medicals at their prospective clubs and Barca have announced that Ibrahimovic could be presented at 6.30pm local time.

Eto'o is delighted to have all but signed for Inter and, having won the Champions League three times at Real Madrid and Barca, has vowed to repeat his European success with his new club.

"I'm very happy to finally have arrived in Milan," he said when he landed. "For me this is a new adventure and I really want to make the very most of everything.

"I'm starting a new life and I hope it brings happiness and success.

"My first aim will be to win the Champions League."

Eto'o also praised his new team-mates who beat bitter rivals AC Milan 2-0 in a pre-season friendly last night.

"I learnt that they won the derby in America," added the Cameroon international. "I am very happy for this important success."

 

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AGENT: DOSSENA WANTS NAPOLI SWITCH

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Andrea Dossena's agent claims the Liverpool defender is eager to sign for Napoli - and that the two clubs are in negotiations.

Dossena only moved to Anfield last season from Udinese but has failed to settle in and is likely to find himself even more surplus to requirements following the arrival of Glen Johnson on Merseyside.

The Italy full-back is reportedly keen on a return to Serie A and would welcome a move to Napoli, who finished 12th in the league last season.

"We want to close the deal, we will reach an agreement," Federico Pastorello told TuttoNapoli.net. "Napoli's offer is five million euros (£4.3million) plus bonuses.

"It's a deal the two clubs are sorting out, we're waiting for news.

"Napoli know how much Andrea earns, a significant sum, but less than two million.

"Our intention is to reach an agreement. We will not even have a problem with giving up image rights.

"The player is currently in Singapore with Liverpool, he is also awaiting news.

"Although he loves being at a great club like Liverpool, he would welcome the opportunity to join Napoli with great enthusiasm."

A stumbling block could be Liverpool's reluctance to accept a bid of half the 10million euros (£8.6million) they paid for the 27-year-old barely 12 months ago.

 

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BOJINOV SEALS PARMA SWITCH


Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov is back in Serie A after joining newly-promoted Parma on loan.

The 23-year-old Bulgaria international endured an injury-hit spell at Eastlands, making just three Premier League starts in two years.

Bojinov did look a talented prospect when fit, but the summer arrivals of Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor means Bojinov joins Felipe Caicedo in sealing a loan move away from the City of Manchester Stadium.

The forward, formerly of Juventus, Fiorentina and Lecce, believes he will prove to be a good signing if he can stay injury free.

"This is the right atmosphere for me," he said. "I'm not promising anything, only a lot of enjoyment for us and for the fans.

"We have to work and sweat for this shirt.

"I know with certainty what I can give if I am good physically.

"I would ask from my season here to be a regular and to have the possibility of training with constancy without any problems.

"The only indispensable requirement for me to be able to prove my worth is that of health."

Bojinov spent three years at Lecce and two at Fiorentina - including a season-long loan at Juventus - before he was signed by Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2007.

And the 23-year-old is delighted to be back in Serie A.

"Italy has given me a lot: it's my second home, immediately after Bulgaria," he added. "I am happy to have returned here and to have the opportunity to play in the Parma shirt.

"The club is the only one that wanted me without any hesitations. I am happy to be playing again in Serie A.

"You win the affection of the fans and your place in the team with work on the pitch. I promise hard work and dedication."

 

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GARBER: BECKS NOT GONE 'TIL NOVEMBER


Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber will not allow David Beckham to leave the Los Angeles Galaxy until November at the earliest.

Beckham's future has been in doubt ever since he extended his loan deal with AC Milan rather than playing the first half of the MLS season, but Garber said any talks regarding a return to Milan will have to take place at the end of the current season.

England midfielder Beckham is believed to be seeking a repeat of his loan spell with the Italian side from January to May this year when his stint with the Galaxy comes to an end as he bids to figure in Fabio Capello's England squad for next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

"We're going to wait until after the season before we get there," Garber told ESPN. "We've heard from David that he wants to go back to Milan and he wants to play for the English national team.

"We've also heard from him that he also wants to spend the rest of his career here.

"So we're going to get through this year and let the Galaxy take this as far as they can take it and then sit down with David and his people and figure it out."

Beckham's return to the MLS, which holds his contract and registration, has been clouded in controversy.

On his arrival in LA he was embroiled in a row with team-mate Landon Donovan over comments the USA striker made in a book called 'The Beckham Experiment' which questioned the Englishman's commitment to the Galaxy.

And he has twice become involved in confrontations with fans during his first three games back in a Galaxy shirt.

The first incident, which came after Beckham was jeered by Galaxy fans during a friendly with AC Milan, saw his earn a US Dollars 1000 fine from MLS after he appeared to encourage a supporter onto the field.

Garber said he considered the matter dealt and sought to draw a line under the controversy.

"You know, it first starts with the fact that we've got a team (the Galaxy) that was struggling and now they're doing well.

"On Saturday we're going to have what could be the largest crowd in the Rose Bowl for an MLS game when the Galaxy play FC Barcelona.

"We've dealt with the incident that happened with David this week. We don't want to see our players interact with fans or even be interpreted as encouraging fans (onto the field). We dealt with it, he was fined for it and he gets it now."

Garber added that Beckham had been spoken to again since last Saturday's incident in Kansas City , when the England players reacted to comments from the stands he said were abusive towards his wife.

"We have (spoken) and David's very passionate and let me say this, we've got fans that are saying things in our stands about David, about his family and these are things that no player in any sport, no person should ever have to deal with.

"That doesn't excuse any reaction from any player but if I have anything to say it's that we've got a guy that is really working hard to build this game, that's really trying hard to get his team to a championship, so let's get focused on what's going on on the field and move on."

 

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PARMA POUNCE FOR PANUCCI


Parma have continued to strengthen their squad with the signing of Christian Panucci.

Valeri Bojinov joined the Serie A side on loan from Manchester City earlier on Thursday and Panucci has now joined on a free transfer.

The veteran defender, 36, arrives on a one-year deal following his departure from Roma earlier in the summer.

He will be hoping to help Parma in their first season back in the top flight and director Pietro Leonardi is confident he will make a vital contribution.

"Panucci is a great player," said Leonardi. "He is a veteran and will be very useful to our cause."