Juventus snap up Poulsen, on the trail of Manninger

Danish international midfielder Christian Poulsen signed for Serie A giants Juventus on Tuesday for 9.75million euros from Spanish outfit Sevilla, the buying club announced.

The 28-year-old, who will be paid 3million euros a year, said he was determined to prove Italian football fans wrong about his reputation.

“My dream is to surprise the Italian public and show them that rather than being the unpolished player they perceive me as being that I am in fact technically very sound,” said Poulsen, who was part of the Sevilla side that won the 2007 UEFA Cup.

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri said that Poulsen, who was formerly best known in Italy for being the player that Italy icon Francesco Totti spat at during Euro 2004, virtually rounded off his purchases for the upcoming season.

“I am delighted,” commented Ranieri, who guided the 'Old Lady' into third place last season on their return to Serie A after being relegated in 2006 for their role in the matchfixing scandal.

“With the arrival of Poulsen, we now have 99 percent of the squad I want.

“All we are missing is a goalkeeper.”

Ranieri is apparently keen on bringing Austrian international goalkeeper Alex Manninger from Serie A rivals Siena as backup to Italian number one Gianluigi Buffon.