Legrottaglie arrives to strengthen Milan defence
Monday, January 31, 2011
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Serie A leaders AC Milan have completed their fifth signing of the winter with the acquisition of centre-back Nicola Legrottaglie, who arrives on a free transfer from Juventus.
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Serie A leaders AC Milan have bolstered their squad with the signing of defender Nicola Legrottaglie, who joins from Juventus on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old has agreed a contract until June 2011 and becomes Milan's fifth winter recruit after Antonio Cassano, Urby Emanuelson, Mark van Bommel and Didac Vilà. Alessandro Nesta's injury and Thiago Silva's encouraging performances as a defensive midfielder in his last two outings have convinced the Rossoneri to bring in another centre-back for the remainder of the campaign.
Legrottaglie, capped 16 times by Italy, had moved to Juventus in summer 2003 from AC Chievo Verona before having two loan spells with Bologna FC and AC Siena. He returned to Turin in 2006, going on to play a total of 114 Serie A games for Juve, but Leonardo Bonucci's signing limited him to five league appearances this term.
Massimiliano Allegri's side are still in the running in three competitions, having qualified for the Coppa Italia semi-finals and for the UEFA Champions League round of 16, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur FC in the first leg on 15 February. The seven-time European champions also top the Serie A standings, four points clear of second-placed SSC Napoli.
