Appiah arrives at Juventus
Monday, June 30, 2003
Article summary
Juventus FC have signed Ghanaian international Stephen Appiah on an initial season-long loan from Parma AC.
Article body
Loan deal
Juventus have paid €2m to secure Appiah's services for the 2003/04 campaign and they will have the option of a permanent €6m transfer next summer. As part of the deal, Juve's Italian Under-21 international defender Emiliano Moretti moves to Parma, while midfield player Manuele Blasi will follow him to the Tardini stadium on a 12-month loan.
'Terrific opportunity'
The 22-year-old Appiah, who was on loan at Brescia Calcio last term, said: "I knew I had the chance to sign for a big club, but I could never have imagined it would be Juventus. It is a terrific opportunity for me. You cannot ask for more than to play for a team like Juve." The combative midfield player started his Serie A career with Udinese Calcio in 1997/98 before joining Parma in 2000.
Other arrivals
Appiah is Juventus's second major signing of the summer after Italian international defender Nicola Legrottaglie arrived in a €7.1m deal from AC Chievo Verona. The Bianconeri will also be able to count on Enzo Maresca and Fabrizio Miccoli, who have returned from loan spells with Piacenza FC and AC Perugia respectively.
