Ziegler leads Samp signing spree

Switzerland midfielder Reto Ziegler is relishing the chance to shine after a permanent switch to UC Sampdoria who have also signed goalkeeper Antonio Mirante and defender Daniele Gastaldello.

'Right club'
The 21-year-old Ziegler, who has been capped three times by his country, moved to Sampdoria in January on a six-month loan from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur FC and went on to play 15 times in Serie A as the club finished ninth to earn a UEFA Intertoto Cup place. "I feel good at Sampdoria," he said. "This is the right club for me to improve as a player." Ziegler will hope to do that in European competition, with Sampdoria to face the winners of the UEFA Intertoto Cup tie between FK Makedonija GP Skopje and PFC Cherno More Varna for a place in UEFA Cup qualifying.

Juve youngsters
Mirante, who will turn 24 on Sunday, joins on loan for one season with Sampdoria having an option to sign him on permanent basis next summer. Last season he was the cover for Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus, and played seven games in Serie B as the Turin giants won promotion. He had previous loan spells at FC Crotone Calcio and AC Siena, where he played 26 Serie A games in 2005/06. Gastaldello, 24, also has plenty of top-flight experience, having made 45 league appearances over the last two campaigns while on loan at Siena. Like Mirante, he came through the ranks at Juventus but never made it to the Bianconeri first team.