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Viola shirt honours Osvaldo Thursday 16 August, 2007

New Fiorentina signing Pablo Osvaldo says he is honoured to wear the No 9 shirt once graced by Gabriel Batistuta.

The Argentine joined the Viola earlier this week after agreeing to a five-year deal and was officially unveiled to the Press this afternoon.

“I am very glad to be here. I know I have many things to learn, but I am eager to work hard,” said Osvaldo.

“I hope I do well, I want to be immediately available for the Coach,” added the 21-year-old, who cost the Tuscan outfit around £2m.

“Batistuta [pictured] was a very important player for Argentina, but the number wasn’t that important.

“I liked it, I knew it had belonged to Bati and that is why I chose it. It is an honour for me to wear it,” concluded the player.

Osvaldo, who spent last season on loan at Lecce from Atalanta, impressed in the 2006-07 Serie B campaign, scoring eight goals, and was welcomed by Coach Cesare Prandelli.

“I immediately liked him, he did very well last year. We had been following him for two months, negotiations were very long. We invested a lot, but he is worth the money,” explained the tactician.

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