Zauri leaves Lazio for Sampdoria

Luciano Zauri will not be returning to Lazio Roma at the start of the season, as the player found a new home at Sampdoria.

The 31-year-old Zauri had been under contract with Lazio since 2003 but lost his spot in the usual starting line-up during the 2007-08 season. To get some playing time, he spent the last season at Fiorentina.

Sampdoria had been looking for a new defender since the departure of Argentinian Hugo Campagnaro, who made a move to Napoli.

In his earlier career, Zauri also played for Atalanta and Chievo. His good performance at Atalanta earned him five caps with the Italian national team throughout 2001 and 2002.