Empoli raid Rossoneri for trio

Empoli FC have made a major double signing with young AC Milan midfielders Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini while extending their loan for Rossoneri forward Nicola Pozzi.

Busy day
While the Tuscany side have signed both Antonini and Abate, the European champions Milan will retain a 50 per cent stake in each player. The 24-year-old Antonini played 32 Serie A matches scoring one goal on loan at AC Siena last season, while the 20-year-old Abate played 38 games in Serie B, scoring once, with Modena FC. Meanwhile, Empoli have extended Pozzi's loan deal for a further season, and also acquired half of 20-year-old defender Lino Marzoratti's playing licence from Milan. To cap a busy day's work, veteran goalkeeper Daniele Balli has been given another one-year contract after the 39-year-old played 30 matches in Serie A in the 2006/07 campaign as Empoli finished seventh to earn a crack at the forthcoming UEFA Cup.