US Città di Palermo have continued to strengthen ahead of their return to European action by signing right-back Matteo Darmian from AC Milan, although the Rossoneri will retain 50% of the 20-year-old's playing license.

A product of Milan's youth system, Darmian made his Serie A debut as a 17-year-old in May 2007 against Udinese Calcio. In total, the Italian Under-21 international appeared four times in the league for the San Siro club – all as a substitute – before spending the majority of last season on loan to Padova Calcio in Serie B, making 20 appearances.

A member of the Italy squad which finished runners-up at the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, he made his U21 debut in a friendly against Austria in March 2009. Palermo enter the UEFA Europa League in the play-offs after finishing fifth last term. The Sicilian outfit have already added Polish international defender Kamil Glik and midfielder Pajtim Kasami to their squad this summer, as well as strikers Mauricio Pinilla and Massimo Maccarone.