TORINO FC

[D-Kin]

Torino have signed Cesare Natali from Udinese for £2.5m.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Salvatore Lanna has left relegated Chievo to join Torino after signing a three-year contract with the Granata.

“Torino Foootball Club are pleased to announce that they have signed Chievo footballer Salvatore Lanna on a permanent basis,” read a note posted on the club’s website.

“The player has signed a contract which will tie him to the Granata side until June 30, 2010.”

The 30-year-old leaves Chievo after 11 years and over 300 appearances for the Flying Donkeys. He also wore the captain’s armband a number of times last season, taking over from Lorenzo D’Anna.

Lanna, who started his career with Serie C1 outfit Carpi, is the latest in a number of new arrivals in Turin, following David Di Michele, Vincenzo Grella, Eugenio Corini and Sasa Bjelanovic to the Stadio Olimpico.

The experienced defender has already joined his teammates at their pre-season camp in Malles and completed his first training session this morning.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Nice move for him, he isn't that bad of a player i quite like him. I am sure he wll do well at Torino

[D-Kin]

Yeah, it's a solid signing.

He was always likely to leave with Chievo in Serie B.

[Aladino]

Yeah, it's just a pityu for Chievo because they will be loosing a lot of their good players. I wonder what will happen with Pellisier.

[D-Kin]

I'd expect him to move, as with Semioli.

They're too good for Serie B.

[Aladino]

Yeah agreed, Semioli has been rumoured often to ROma and other clubs, just haven't heard anything on him,..

[Aladino]

Lanna presented for the granata



David Di Michele



Cesare Natali

[Jager]

Rosina welcomes Walter Sunday 22 July, 2007

Alessandro Rosina is eager to win over new Coach Walter Novellino, as Torino prepare to make three more signings.

Fan favourite ‘Rosinaldo’ only joined in pre-season training this weekend, having received an extension on his summer holiday after taking part in the European Under-21 Championships.

“I needed this time to relax at the end of a very intense season between Torino and the Azzurrini. Now I’ve recharged my batteries and am ready to get stuck in again.

“Physically and psychologically I’m raring to go and hope to win over Novellino with hard work and effort.”

Rosina struggled last season under the constant switching of management, as his mentor Gianni De Biasi was fired three days before the start of the campaign.

Alberto Zaccheroni was in turn sacked and De Biasi brought back, but during the summer ex-Sampdoria tactician Novellino was drafted in to lead a new era for the Granata.

“I am happy to be back among my teammates and ready to sweat for this club,” commented the trequartista.

“There have been many changes. I salute those who are no longer part of the side and at the same time welcome the new faces to Toro.”

There are set to be even more introductions at Torino, as the club is said to be pushing for three new signings.

Rosina’s former Under-21 international teammate Simone Padoin is a prime target who takes a wide midfield position at Vicenza.

The 23-year-old has also been linked with Napoli, but seems to prefer the Torino solution instead.

Chievo central defender Andrea Mantovani could make a surprise return to Turin, the side he left as a free agent following the bankruptcy of the Franco Cimminelli administration in 2005.

A third potential arrival is 20-year-old talent Mattia Masiero of Ancona in a co-ownership deal worth just £30,000.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Comotto proud of captaincy Monday 23 July, 2007

Gianluca Comotto is delighted after being named as Torino’s new captain. “I want to thank everyone.”

The Granata have completed several new signings and the defender was close to joining Roma, but opted to stay in Turin where he will be handed the captain’s armband this season.

“I want to thank the club and the team for choosing me,” beamed the 28-year-old.

“I also want to publicly mention Eugenio Corini. He supported me, he is a great person,” added Comotto after the veteran midfielder stepped out of the running.

“I am working hard, this has been one of the most tiring pre-season camps in my long career,” admitted the 28-year-old.

“However, there is great harmony in the group, even among those players who are still unsure about their future.”

Comotto has been impressed with the new youngsters signed by Urbano Cairo and the immediate adaptation to their new environment.

“The younger players usually have some problems in ritiro. It isn’t easy for them to adjust, but ours have proved that they are really strong,” concluded the Granata.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

THat is great for Comotto, I am happy for him! I am sure he will be a great leader

[Jager]

Sereni ready for new challenge Wednesday 25 July, 2007

Torino goalkeeper Matteo Sereni is thrilled to start his new adventure with the Granata. “This club believes in me.”

The former Lazio man joined the Turin outfit in June and is looking forward to finally playing regular Serie A football after years spent as Angelo Peruzzi’s understudy in Rome.

“I am back on track after many difficulties,” said Sereni, who is in Malles with the rest of the squad for pre-season training.

“I suffered a lot, that is why I am eager to begin again at Torino with humility, enthusiasm and determination,” added the former Ipswich Town ‘keeper.

“This club has faith in me and has created the ideal conditions for everyone to do their best. The atmosphere is great.”

Sereni, who joined Toro on a free transfer, also attacked Biancocelesti President Claudio Lotito, stating that he caused the player much suffering during the past years.

“Now that I am happy I could even thank him, but I hope to take revenge against him on the pitch,” explained the custodian.

“They hurt me, taking the goal away from me. Delio Rossi had believed in me, but then Lotito got involved and you all know how the story ended…

“I had even considered the idea of joining a foreign club, then Torino arrived,” concluded Sereni.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Friendlies: Toro thank Di Michele Thursday 26 July, 2007

David Di Michele is making waves at new club Torino with a brace in their 3-0 friendly win over Greek outfit Larissa.

The former Palermo striker is one of the main summer signings for the side now coached by Walter Novellino.

Di Michele opened the scoring after just five minutes this evening and struck again after the break with the aid of a deflection from Kotsios.

Sasa Bjelanovic nodded Eugenio Corini’s cross on to the upright before Roberto Stellone sealed the 3-0 scoreline with a free kick.

Of the starting XI fielded against Larissa, only Nikola Lazetic, captain Gianluca Comotto, Marco Di Loreto and Simone Barone were in the squad last season.

This evening it was announced that Toro forward Elvis Abbruscato has been sold to Serie B club Lecce in a co-ownership deal.

They also unveiled their new team strip for 2007-08. The away shirt is white with a Granata strip across the chest, while the third choice strip has orange and black horizontal stripes.

Torino’s next friendly test is on Sunday against Treviso.


Torino: Sereni; Comotto, Natali, Di Loreto, Rubin; Lazetic, Zanetti, Corini, Barone; Di Michele, Bjelanovic

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Rosina misses Spurs test Saturday 4 August, 2007

Alessandro Rosina’s contract renegotiations drag on as Torino come to London for a high-profile friendly with Tottenham today.

The Under-21 international is without doubt their most influential player, but surprisingly has one of the lowest wage packets at the club at just £175,000 per season.

Newspaper ‘Tuttosport’ claims that this is less than half the average pay for a Toro player and the offer to double it may not be enough.

The Granata have imposed a salary cap of £500,000 a year and Rosina’s agent does not want to settle for a penny less to extend the contract until 2012.

His current deal expires in 2009 and the club will not risk losing the talented playmaker nicknamed Rosinaldo.

Meanwhile, Rosina will not be fielded against Spurs this afternoon in a pre-season friendly at White Hart Lane.

“I am sorry to be without him, but there’s no point risking it. If all goes well, then we hope he will be ready for the game with Club Brugge on August 7,” explained Coach Walter Novellino.

“This Tottenham match will be an important test for us, especially when it comes to trying out the new tactical systems we are working on.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Comotto invites Toro fans Monday 6 August, 2007

New Torino captain Gianluca Comotto hopes that the Stadio Olimpico will be packed with supporters for the team’s official presentation.

The Granata were defeated 2-0 in Saturday’s high-profile friendly with Tottenham in London and will face Bruges tomorrow evening, when the new squad will be unveiled to the fans.

“We are very excited to meet our supporters again and I am happy as a captain to call all the Granata to the stadium,” Comotto told toronews.it.

“Many people are on holiday, but I am sure there will be many fans in the stands to see the new signings in action and enjoy what promises to be an enjoyable match,” added the 28-year-old.

“I cannot hide that I am proud and very excited to wear the captain’s armband. This will increase my motivation and responsibility, on the pitch and off it.”

Comotto also hailed his teammates’ performance against Tottenham, who are at a further stage in their pre-season preparations as the English season kicks-off on Saturday.

“We are working a lot, this is the toughest ‘ritiro’ I ever faced, but we are a good group, very united, and that helps,” explained the full-back.

“We didn’t play a bad match on Saturday, the only negative aspect was the final result. Tottenham are a good team and are ready to start their championship.