Stoke City F.C. have completed the signing of Morocco international winger Oussama Assaidi on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool, according to the club’s official website, www.stokecityfc.com.
Assaidi, 25, joined Liverpool from Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen for an undisclosed fee — believed to be in the region of £2.3 million — in August 2012, but has failed to establish himself in Brendan Rodgers’ first-team.
The Morocco international has become Mark Hughes’ fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Erik Pieters, Marc Muniesa and Juan Agudelo.
Assaidi, who tallied one assist in 12 appearances in all competitions for the Reds last season, is absolutely delighted with the move.
“I spoke to the manager, he told me his hopes for the season and how he sees me fitting into the team and he made it a very attractive move for me,” said Assaidi. “He plays football the right way, the way that I want to play, and it was quite an easy decision for me to make in the end.
“I had a number of options available to me but I feel that this is the best one for me. I am excited about what the season holds for us.”
Expect the 25-year-old winger to be an important player for the Potters this season.
Insigne pens new deal
S.S.C. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has announced Lorenzo Insigne has put pen to paper on a new five-year deal at the Stadio San Paolo, Sky Sports understands.
Insigne, a product of the Napoli youth system, caught the eye of a host of clubs, including Sunderland, after turning in a number of scintillating performances at the 2013 UEFA U-21 Championship in Israel this summer.
The Italy international, 22, has already won two international caps for his country and scored the Azzurri’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat to Argentina at the Stadio Olimpico earlier this month.
“This morning I met Lorenzo Insigne and we extended the contract for five years. Since this season Lorenzo will earn 700,000 Euros plus bonus,” said De Laurentiis via Twitter.
“I wish ‘Lorenzinho’ a great career in Napoli.”
Insigne bagged five goals and eight assists in 43 competitive appearances for Napoli last term.
Cardiff keen on Jefferson Montero
Premier League newboys Cardiff City are reportedly interested in signing Ecuador international winger Jefferson Montero from Liga MX side Monarcas Morelia, Sky Sports reports.
Recent reports have suggested that Montero, formerly of Villarreal, Levante and Real Betis, is attracting interest from a number of English clubs, but the Bluebirds appear to be leading the race for the Ecuadorian wide-man.
Cardiff have already had a tremendous summer, having added the likes of Andreas Cornelius, Gary Medel and Steven Caulker to their squad.
The addition of Montero, 23, would surely be the ‘icing on the cake’ as they say.
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