Empoli employ Juventus duo

UEFA Cup hopefuls Empoli FC have reached an agreement to bring defender Felice Piccolo and midfielder Claudio Marchisio to the club from promoted Juventus.

Loan spells
Piccolo, who turns 24 next month, has been allowed to join Empoli in a deal which will see Juventus retain a share of his registration. He played seven games as the Turin side won promotion last season, having also spent time on loan for AS Lucchese, Como Calcio, Reggina Calcio and S.S. Lazio since joining Juventus in 2001. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Marchisio will join the Tuscan side on a one-year-loan. A graduate of the Juventus youth system, the Italian Under-21 international played 25 league matches last season and is considered an exciting prospect. Empoli have already brought in two other Juventus youngsters, striker Rej Volpato and attacking midfielder Sebastian Giovinco. They finished seventh in Serie A to qualify for the first round of the UEFA Cup.