[D-Kin]

Viola pounce for Da Costa Tuesday 29 January, 2008

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Fiorentina have made a surprise swoop for Portuguese prodigy Manuel Da Costa of PSV.

While Juventus, Inter and Parma were believed to be targeting the 21-year-old defender, there had been no indication in the peninsula’s Press that the Viola were lining up a bid.

However, late last night sporting director Pantaleo Corvino agreed a deal worth around £3m with the Dutch giants for one of Europe’s rising stars.

Although born in France and unable to speak fluent Portuguese, Da Costa opted to represent his father’s homeland rather than Les Bleus at Under-21 level.

With Federico Balzaretti joining Palermo and Anthony Vanden Borre on loan to Genoa, Coach Cesare Prandelli had been looking a little short of defensive cover, but the addition of Da Costa is a huge boost.

The former AS Nancy man is expected to arrive at the Stadio Artemio Franchi later this afternoon to meet his new colleagues and complete the formalities and he could watch the Coppa Italia clash against Lazio on Wednesday from the stands.

channel4.com - Football Italia

Is he any good?