Roma signal Adriano’s Italy return

(GSM) – Serie A side Roma are looking to sign former Internazionale striker Adriano from Flamengo, coach Claudio Ranieri confirmed.

The Brazil international, who signed for Inter in 2001, was a goal-scoring sensation in Italy before a battle with alcohol addiction curtailed his career.

Adriano returned home to Brazil on unpaid leave to rebuild his reputation with São Paulo in 2008 and in 2009 re-joined hometown club Flamengo where he recovered some of his previous form to win the league title.

“Adriano is our gamble. We don’t know if it will be a winning one,” Ranieri told Sky Italia.

Roma chief Daniele Prade flew to Rio to thrash out cut-price deal with Adriano, who failed to make Brazil’s World Cup squad despite featuring in a number of games under Dunga.

“We are trying to follow the line drawn by [UEFA president Michel] Platini and not spend more than you earn,” Ranieri explained.