Sampdoria complete Cassano swoop
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Article summary
UEFA Cup hopefuls UC Sampdoria have taken striker Antonio Cassano on a season-long loan from Real Madrid CF with an option for a permanent transfer.
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Madrid spell
The 25-year-old joined the Spanish champions in January 2006 from AS Roma but, after struggling to force his way into Fabio Capello's side and committing a breach of club discipline, was excluded from first-team training last October. Cassano started just eight of 19 Primera División matches for Madrid during his short-lived stay at the Santiago Bernabéu and will be hoping to revive his career, which flourished during his time at Roma when he earned ten Italy caps. UEFA Intertoto Cup winners Sampdoria begin their UEFA Cup campaign against HNK Hajduk Split in the second qualifying round this Thursday, although Cassano, who was born a day after Italy's 1982 FIFA World Cup triumph, will not feature.