Benítez begins life at Napoli with Mertens signing
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
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Belgian international winger Dries Mertens has become Rafael Benítez's first signing as SSC Napoli coach, joining the Partenopei on a five-year deal from PSV Eindhoven.
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UEFA Champions League contenders SSC Napoli have announced the signing of Belgian international winger Dries Mertens from PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of €10m.
Mertens, 26, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Napoli and becomes new coach Rafael Benítez's first signing since he took over from Walter Mazzarri at the end of the season. The Partenopei finished second in Serie A last term, nine points adrift of Juventus, and will go straight into the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League group stage.
Mertens joined PSV in summer 2011 and scored 37 goals in 62 Eredivisie appearances. He also found the net when PSV beat Napoli 3-0 in Eindhoven during last term's UEFA Europa League group stage. Mertens has won 19 caps for his country, most recently coming on as a substitute in last month's 4-2 friendly victory against the United States.
