OFFICIAL: Juventus sign Knezevic (on loan)

[D-Kin]

Bianconeri capture Knezevic Saturday 21 June, 2008

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Reports in both Italy and Croatia insist Juventus have completed a swoop for Livorno defender Dario Knezevic.

The news emerged overnight and has shaken up the Press on both sides of the Adriatic sea after director of sport Alessio Secco was spotted in Milan negotiating with Amaranto President Aldo Spinelli.

According to both the Corriere dello Sport and Sportske Novosti, Knezevic will move to Juve in a loan deal worth just £200,000.

In 12 months’ time the Bianconeri can buy out half his contract for £1m from recently relegated Livorno.

Knezevic did not take part in last night’s dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat to Turkey due to a knee injury that will keep the 26-year-old out of action for several weeks.

He is the second new defender to join the Turin giants after Olof Mellberg was picked up on a free transfer.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/jun21f.html

Anyone got any more info on this?

[azzurri]

I havent got a clue either. I guess this rules out signing a proven cb this summer.

[D-Kin]

I guess all our money is going into the Alonso deal, or whichever midfielder we end up buying.

[LAF]

I'd rather we get a proven top drawer CB, instead of Alonso.

Still though we are aren't paying alot in this deal.

[D-Kin]

Trouble is brewing:

According to La Stampa, Torino have successfully bid £1.6m plus co-ownership of midfield prodigy Davide Bottone and have also offered Knezevic a bigger contract than he would receive with the Bianconeri.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Spinelli gives Dario details Friday 27 June, 2008

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Livorno President Aldo Spinelli has clarified the situation of defender Dario Knezevic, who is the subject of a Turin tug-of-war.

Juventus believed that they had signed the Croatian defender on loan for the coming season to fill the gap left by Guglielmo Stendardo, who has returned to Lazio.

However, it then emerged that Torino had already had a big for full ownership of Knezevic accepted.

“We had an agreement with Juventus that needs to be reviewed,” Spinelli explained. “It was going to be a loan with the option to buy the player at the end of the season.

“Then Torino stepped in and took the lead in the race to sign Knezevic by offering to buy 100 per cent of his rights.

“Now I am going to step back and let the player decide his future. Dario and his agent have one destination in kind and I think Torino have shown more belief in him.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

So basically it's up to the player, Torino or Juventus...

[azzurri]

Were competing with Toro for his signature? Lol

[D-Kin]

Juve to steal Knezevic Monday 30 June, 2008

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Livorno’s Croatian defender Dario Knezevic is ready to snub Torino to join Juventus, and Granata chief Urbano Cairo is livid.

Knezevic has unexpectedly become the centre of a Turin tug-of-war as he looks to leave newly relegated Livorno.

Torino seemed to have agreed a permanent deal for the 26-year-old, but city rivals Juve have hijacked the deal and agreed a loan deal, according to Press reports.

According to La Stampa, the Old Lady reached an agreement late last night that sees Knezevic join for a season with £500,000 going to Livorno and the Bianconeri having the option to make the deal permanent for £1m next summer.

However, Toro supremo Cairo still insists that his initial deal with the Amaranto is binding.

“Livorno’s President Aldo Spinelli had a deal with me and I will be declaring it to the Lega Calcio,” he roared. “We will see what happens.

“I spoke to Spinelli last night and I thought that he had a strange air about him, but he reassured me.

“You can’t sell the same player twice. If I did that with a house I would be reported for fraud.”

Knezevic is expected to undergo a medical with Juve later today and could be presented as a Bianconero tomorrow, unless Cairo derails the transfer.

channel4.com - Football Italia

It appears we've got him then, we'll see.

[Oliver_Kahn]

The Portuguese press is reporting the deal has been made official by Juventus, but the fee wasn't revealed.

[D-Kin]

Juve complete Knezevic deal Monday 30 June, 2008

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Juventus have officially beaten competition from Torino to secure the signature of Livorno defender Dario Knezevic.

The Croatian international seemed to be set for the Granata shirt after a deal was agreed with Toro, but Juve stole him away at the 11th hour.

Despite angry protestations from Torino President Urbano Cairo, Knezevic has become a Juve player and will be presented to the Press at 2pm tomorrow.

The full terms of the transfer haven’t been announced, but the deal is expected to take the form of a season loan with the Bianconeri having the option to make the transfer permanent for a fee of around £2m.

Knezevic made three appearances for Croatia at Euro 2008, featuring against Austria, Germany and Poland.

Juventus have already added Swedish star Olof Mellberg on a free transfer and continue to strengthen their back line without spending heavily.

channel4.com - Football Italia

It's done, I'm glad we beat Torino to him.

And the deal appears to be structured in our favour. It's a loan deal so if he's a flop we'll just send him back and if he's a success we have the option to sign him for a relatively small fee. I think we've done well.

[Forza_Roma]

Good deal for Juve...can't go wrong with free loans. Will be added depth for the league and CL.

[D-Kin]

Well I imagine we'll have to pay for the season loan, around £500,000 from what I've heard.

We can't complain though.

[D-Kin]

From what I've seen, I like. He appears to be very good in the tackle.

TalkSoccer Media Player

[azzurri]

Signed for depth, since relying on Andrade is to risky. Lets hope he turns out good.

[D-Kin]

Ahead of Mellberg in the pecking order or not?

Or was he signed as a RB?

Things to consider.