Quagliarella enchanted by Torino return

Fabio Quagliarella is excited by a "new beginning in my Torino story" after rejoining the Granata in a €3.5m move from city rivals Juventus. "I am looking forward to this new chapter as a Toro player," said the former Italy striker, who has signed a three-year contract.

Born in Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples, Quagliarella was a prolific 14-year-old when first picked up by Torino FC in 1997. Two years later he penned his first professional deal with the Piedmont club, making his Serie A debut in May 2000 in a 2-1 win against Piacenza FC.

The Turin side were relegated that season, however, and with Quagliarella not getting regular first-team football upon Torino's promotion to the top flight for the 2001/02 campaign, he spent time on loan at ACF Fiorentina and SS Chieti.

He returned to Toro ahead of 2004/05, helping the Granata, relegated again in 2002/03, back into the Italian elite via the Serie B play-offs with seven goals in 34 appearances. Torino, however, succumbed to bankruptcy and the forward was forced to pursue his career elsewhere.

He turned out for Ascoli Calcio, UC Sampdoria, Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli – earning a reputation for spectacular goals, particularly from long range – and was awarded the first of 24 Italy caps by Roberto Donadoni in 2007. Memorably, he struck the Azzurri's 1,200th goal ten seconds after coming on against Portugal in a February 2008 friendly.

A squad player at UEFA EURO 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup,  Quagliarella was on the move once more – to Juventus – after the latter tournament in South Africa. A three-time Scudetto winner with the Bianconeri, he registered 23 goals in 84 Serie A outings and on six occasions in the last two UEFA Champions League seasons despite competition from Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tévez.

The 31-year-old has now come full circle after opting for Torino, where he will attempt to fill the boots of Ciro Immobile, last term's 22-goal Serie A leading marksman who was bought by Borussia Dortmund in early June. With coach Giampiero Ventura known for his attacking style, Torino could be the right place for Quagliarella to relaunch his career.