Post by Taxigirl on Jan 22, 2004 9:38:52 GMT
Italian giants Inter have confirmed that they have signed Brazilian sensation Adriano from Parma.
The move has been touted for weeks and the club have confirmed, via their website, that a deal has been reached.
The 21-year-old, already half owned by the Nerazzurri, has put pen to paper on a contract that will tie him to the club until 30 June 2008.
Inter have also confirmed that they have loaned the Tardini outfit Isah Eliakwu and Ianis Zicu, signed from Dinamo Bucharest this week, as part of the deal.
The size of the fee has yet to be officially released but it is believed to be in the region of around £18m.
Adriano returns to Inter, after starring for them in 2001/02, following a loan spell at Fiorentina and 18 months with Parma.
Prandelli: Adriano is quality
Adriano is ready to make a substantial impact at Inter according to Parma boss Cesare Prandelli.
The Brazilian joined the Nerazzurri on Wednesday in a move that has been touted for months.
"It is a great shame that he has gone because he was a symbol of the project that we have in place here," said the tactician.
"He is a great player who we have brought up. We would have loved him to stay but these things happen.
"Is he ready for Inter? I would say yes. I consider him to be ready to star at the highest levels."
The Gialloblu were forced to sell the 21-year-old in a bid to raise some cash given Parmalat’s financial crisis.
"His sale was fundamental," said Enrico Bondi, the man brought in to try to rescue the situation.
"It is key for financial reasons but also sporting as it is an example of Parma’s plan to develop youngsters and sell them on."
Reports suggest that Inter, who already had a 50 per cent stake in the player, paid around £16m to complete their ownership.
Meanwhile, the Tardini outfit have also sold Aimo Diana to Sampdoria. The defender was already on loan with the Marassi side.
Zac welcomes Adriano
Inter’s post-match comments were dominated by Adriano’s arrival, but Udinese look at their Coppa Italia exit with regret.
“I am happy to be back home again,” announced the Brazilian striker who signed a four-year contract this afternoon.
“I hope to help the team improve. I came to Italy thanks to Inter and I am certain that I can become a great player at this club. I really love the Nerazzurri jersey and will work hard to win.”
The former Parma striker was in the stands for today’s 3-1 Coppa Italia win over Udinese that saw them through to the semi-finals.
Coach Alberto Zaccheroni tried not to mention the new arrival, although Parma sources confirmed that the deal involved £15.8m plus the loan of two players.
“This was a complicated match,” said the tactician, “as the 0-0 draw in the first leg left qualification in the balance.”
Zac spent many of his most successful years at Udine and was therefore a little sad to knock them out of the tournament.
“Udinese are an excellent squad with some wonderful counter-attacking tactics and a tricky midfield. We really picked up the pace in the second half and ultimately deserved the win.”
The Friuli side hoped for a shock result after Dino Fava’s temporary equaliser, but it was not to be.
“There are clearly regrets,” said Coach Luciano Spalletti. “We had the chance to get a result, but couldn’t get the reaction we needed after going 2-1 down.”