Livorno sign defensive trio
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Article summary
Italian UEFA Cup newcomers AS Livorno Calcio have made a triple defensive swoop with the signings of Samuel Kuffour, Rahman Rezaei and Dario Kneževic.
Article body
AS Livorno Calcio have strengthened their squad ahead of their first UEFA Cup campaign with the signings of defensive trio Samuel Kuffour from AS Roma, Rahman Rezaei from FC Messina Peloro and Dario Kneževic from Croatian side HNK Rijeka.
European champion
Ghanaian international Kuffour, 29, made 21 appearances for Roma after joining from FC Bayern München last summer. The centre-back, who played one game at the FIFA World Cup, had previously been with Bayern since the 1994/95 campaign and was part of their UEFA Champions League-winning side of 2000/01.
Serie A experience
Meanwhile, Iranian international centre-half Rezaei was ever-present for his country at the World Cup and has the experience of nearly 150 Serie A matches played for AC Perugia and Messina. The 31-year-old will have a 12-month contract, while 24-year-old full-back Kneževic has agreed a three-year deal. He leaves Croatia after four seasons with Rijeka. All three should be eligible to face Austrian team SV Pasching in the UEFA Cup first round.
