Chelsea have signed Italian international full-back Christian Panucci on loan from Inter Milan. The 27-year-old put pen to paper after personal terms were agreed in London today and he arrives as a replacement for Dan Petrescu who has left for Bradford. Panucci can also play at centre-back or in a back three, thus giving manager Gianluca Vialli more options at the back.
Panucci, a former Real Madrid player, had been linked with a move to Italian side Roma but the deal fell through after transfer talks broke down. "I have played at AC Milan, Real Madrid and Inter. Now I am playing in
another big team with Chelsea. For me, they are a big team in Europe and I'm
very happy," said the defender. "I hope to win things with Chelsea this season and I want to stay here for two, three or four years. For me it's a good experience in life and as a player," he added.
