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OFFICIAL: Juventus Sign Lyon Left Back Fabio Grosso

The World Cup hero has returned to Serie A...

Aug 31, 2009 8:30:02 PM

Fabrice Abriel (Lorient) vs Fabio Grosso (Lyon)

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Fabrice Abriel (Lorient) vs Fabio Grosso (Lyon)

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Fabio Grosso

Juventus have completed the signing of Lyon full back Fabio Grosso on a three year contract for a fee that could reach as high as €3 million.

A statement on Juventus' official website reads:

"Juventus have reached an agreement with Olympique Lyonnais for the outright purchase of Fabio Grosso for a fee of €2m payable in three annual instalments. The transfer value can increase no more than €1m, depending on certain athletic achievements during the duration of the contract."

A statement on Lyon's official club website confirms:

"The transfer of the Italy international defender has been realized thanks to the substantial effort by Juventus, who agreed to increase their offer to €2m plus €1m based on future athletic performance."

The Bianconeri have been linked with the 31-year-old for much of the summer, but it took until the final minutes of the summer transfer window for the deal to be completed.

The deal ended up being a close shave due to a delay in Lyon sending through a confirmation fax, but everything was completed just in time.

Juve have made a string of impressive signings over the summer, including those of Diego, Felipe Melo and Fabio Cannavaro.

Yet, despite the arrival of versatile defender Martin Caceres on loan from Barcelona, the Old Lady’s full back positions were still cited as a weakness.

The arrival of Grosso should help solve this problem and the ex-Palermo and Lyon man will slot in on the left of defence, alongside fellow Italy national team starters Giorgio Chiellini and Cannavaro and in front of Azzurri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Grosso made 52 appearances for Lyon after arriving at the Stade Gerland in 2007 from Inter. While in France the wing-back won one French Ligue 1 title, one French Cup and one French Super Cup.

Anthony Sormani, Goal.com

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