Di Michele heads south to Palermo
Monday, January 16, 2006
Article summary
US Città di Palermo have signed Italy striker David Di Michele from their UEFA Cup rivals Udinese Calcio for an undisclosed fee and two players in return.
Article body
Long-term deal
Di Michele has agreed a contract until 2009, while midfielder Salvatore Masiello and forward Simone Pepe, both 22, have moved in the opposite direction on loan. The 30-year-old Di Michele has played 16 times in Serie A this season and scored three goals, all of them in a 3-2 win at AC Siena last October.
European chance
The forward could be registered by his new club for the UEFA Cup as his previous European involvement this term came in Udinese's debut in the UEFA Champions League, where he made six appearances but failed to find the net. In the Round of 32, to be played over two legs next month, Palermo face SK Slavia Praha while Udinese take on RC Lens.
Promising prospects
Last season, Di Michele scored 14 times in Serie A. It was a haul that earned him his Azzurri debut in the 0-0 draw against Iceland last March and two other caps in June. Meanwhile, Masiello and Italian Under-21 international Pepe will stay at the Stadio Friuli until June, having played two and three times respectively for Palermo in 2005/06.
