Parma poach ace Adriano

Parma AC have signed Brazilian striker Adriano from fellow Serie A club Internazionale FC.

First signing
Adriano is new Parma coach Cesare Prandelli's first signing at the Ennio Tardini and will be a welcome addition ahead of their UEFA Cup campaign next season. The player actually spent much of last season on loan at AC Fiorentina but was unable to help them avoid relegation to Serie B. After six games for Inter, he moved to Florence where he scored six times in 15 outings.

Buy-back option
The 20-year-old, already capped once by Brazil but not going to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, had reportedly been coveted by several Italian clubs. As part of the deal, Inter will have an option to get the player back after the 2002/03 campaign. The financial details have not been revealed.

Ferrari stays
There was more good news for Parma today as it was also revealed that talented defender Matteo Ferrari, currently excelling in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, had become a permanent signing. Ferrari, 22, played 16 times on loan from Inter last season and will now stay at Parma.