Vanoli bound for Bologna

Bologna FC have signed Paolo Vanoli on a free transfer after the defender was left without a contract following the bankruptcy of AC Fiorentina.

Fills the gap
The 30-year-old left-back signed a two-year contract and will replace Fabio Macellari, who walked away from the Renato Dall'Ara stadium after agreeing to terminate his contract with Bologna last week. Bologna's options in defence had been further reduced by an injury to Giulio Falcone, who faces up to four months out with a knee ligament problem.

International caps
Vanoli, who has also played for Parma AC, has been capped twice by Italy, scoring on his international debut in a friendly match against Belgium back in 1999. He won the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia with Parma in 1999 and the Coppa Italia again with Fiorentina in 2001. Vanoli had been without a club since the summer.

First defeat
Bologna, who also signed midfield player Christian Amoroso from the Florence club, suffered their first defeat of the Serie A season against Internazionale FC yesterday but are fourth in the table with eleven points from six matches.