Gamberini Signs New Viola Contract

Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini has signed a new contract with the club until 2013.

Aug 28, 2008 6:18:18 AM

Alessandro Gamberini, Fiorentina (Grazia Neri)

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Alessandro Gamberini, Fiorentina (Grazia Neri)

Teams

Fiorentina

Gamberini was one of the best defenders in Serie A last season, and his impressive performances played a big role in the Viola finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League.

Following the injury to Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro on the eve of the Euro 2008 finals, Gamberini was called up as a replacement, although he never played a minute in Austria and Switzerland.

This attention saw the 27-year-old heavily linked with a move to German giants Bayern Munich over the summer, however the stopper has now pledged his future to Fiorentina by signing a new five-year contract in Tuscany.

"Fiorentina announce that the contract of defender Alessandro Gamberini has been renewed, lasting until 2013.

“The player will meet with journalists at the Stadio Franchi today at 16:30 CET."

Gamberini came up through the Bologna youth system, and made his Serie A debut as an 18-year-old in the 1999/00 season.

He joined Fiorentina in 2005, and last night helped the club back into the Champions League group stages for the first time in nine years, when they defeated Slavia Prague 2-0 on aggregate in the final preliminary round.

Anthony Sormani