Udinese add experience with Sala

UEFA Cup participants Udinese Calcio have announced the signing of veteran defender Luigi Sala on a free transfer from Serie A rivals UC Sampdoria.

Experienced defender
The 34-year-old, who has penned a one-year contract, said: "I'm very happy to join Udinese, an important club who have achieved very good results in recent years. We have a talented and young squad and I will bring my experience hoping to help my younger team-mates."

Title winner
Sala has played with AS Bari, Atalanta BC, AC Chievo Verona and Sampdoria in Italy's top flight, but his most notable achievement was winning the Scudetto with AC Milan in 1999. Udinese will begin their UEFA Cup campaign in the first round after finishing seventh in Serie A last season.