UC Sampdoria have made Antonio Cassano's loan move from Real Madrid CF permanent, signing the Italy forward on a five-year deal.

Sell-on fee
The 25-year-old joined the Genoa side on a one-year-loan in summer 2007 after one-and-a-half seasons with the reigning Primera División champions, and has now signed a contract until June 2013 with the Blucerchiati. Sampdoria have not paid Madrid a fee for Cassano, but the Merengues will earn an undisclosed fee should the forward leave the Stadio Luigi Ferraris – reportedly between €5m and €7m.

Fruitful loan
Cassano, who previously spent four-and-a-half years with AS Roma before moving to the Spanish capital, enjoyed an impressive season with Sampdoria, scoring ten goals in 22 Serie A matches, form that earned him a call-up by Italy coach Roberto Donadoni for UEFA EURO 2008™. After the two clubs reached the agreement, Cassano's agent Giuseppe Bozzo travelled to Italy's training camp in Coverciano to sign the contract with the Bari-born player.