Alberto Gilardino joins Genoa

Genoa have completed the signing of 29 year old World Cup winning striker Alberto Gilardino from Fiorentina. In an approximate €8million (£6.7m) move, the Italian international has agreed to a four-and-a-half-year contract.

A statement on Fiorentina’s official website read:

“Fiorentina announces that it has sold striker Alberto Gilardino to Genoa.”

“The company would like to thank Alberto for the time he has spent with us and the pleasure he gave the fans. The club wishes him every success for the rest of his career.”

Following successful stints at Serie A clubs Parma and Milan, Gilardino moved to Fiorentina in 2008 for a reported sum of  €15 million on a 5 year deal that was supposed to end in 2013.

Genoa are pushing hard for a European place this season and Gilardino’s addition would boost their chances of participating in top flight football.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina have started looking for a replacement and the names of Inter’s Diego Milito and the unsettled Juventus striker Amauri have been doing rounds. Amauri has made his intentions of joining the Violas clear, should the club comes calling. Speaking to TMW, Amauri said:

“Florence is a wonderful city and I would have no problem reaching an agreement with Fiorentina, as they are an ambitious club.

“I would accept with great enthusiasm. Reducing my wages would not be an issue, because that is the least of my concerns. We’ll see if these rumours become reality, as I am honoured to hear of their interest. “