Doncaster Rovers F.C. have completed the signing of Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on an initial one-month loan deal, according to the club’s official website, www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk.
Macheda, who joined United from Serie A side Lazio in 2007, burst onto the scene with a dramatic injury-time winner against Aston Villa on his Premier League debut on 5 April 2009.
However, the Italy youth international has since failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at Old Trafford, resulting in three loan spells at U.C. Sampdoria, Queens Park Rangers and VfB Stuttgart.
Macheda trained with the club’s first-team for the second consecutive day on Monday and is expected to be available for selection against Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old striker cannot wait to get started at Keepmoat Stadium, and understandably so, having spent the majority of the past three seasons on the bench.
“I have waited quite while to make this move here, which is a great opportunity for me,” said Macheda.
“I came here because I have seen and heard of the great football Paul [Dickov] has been instrumental in playing here. The manager convinced me that this is an ambitious club with a great set up and a vision for the future. So I am looking forward now to playing my first game.
“I know after promotion last season, they want to keep progressing and moving forward.
“I feel this is a good move to get my career back on track and here I will have more opportunity to play league football. It will be good for me and also I hope is good for the team.
“I had a few offers both in the Championship and abroad but I felt the Championship is the place for me right now especially to a club who really wanted me.”
Macheda, who has not scored in his last 23 competitive senior matches, made 18 appearances in all competitions for Stuttgart last season.
Rhodes happy at Blackburn
Scotland international striker Jordan Rhodes has insisted he is happy at Blackburn Rovers amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move away from Ewood Park, Sky Sports understands.
Rhodes, 23, was the subject of reported interest from a number of English clubs, including the likes of Swansea City and Wigan Athletic, during the summer transfer window.
Wigan failed in their attempt to lure Rhodes to the DW Stadium, while Swansea boss Michael Laudrup opted to sign Catalonia international Álvaro Vázquez on loan from Getafe.
The 23-year-old has moved to play down rumours suggesting he wants to leave Blackburn by insisting he is happy at the club, despite contrary reports in the papers.
“I saw a couple of newspaper articles after the deadline and they said ‘Jordan Rhodes is unhappy’ and things like that, but you know what? That couldn’t be any further from the truth,” said Rhodes.
“It’s a terrific football club, full of great people. I love coming in every day and it’s a terrific environment to be in.
“I don’t know where these things come from. People add two and two together and come up with five or six. It’s just not a true story.”
Rhodes, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2017, has netted five goals in six league matches for Blackburn this season.
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