© EuroFootball.com
Italian national team players Stefano Fiore and Bernardo Corradi will leave Rome to play for the Spanish champion and UEFA Cup winner next season.
For some time there have been talks that these players could leave financially troubled Lazio, and now the club has officially confirmed the sale. Fiore and Corradi will cost 16.6 million euros for Valencia, but they will only have to pay three, as Lazio still owed 13.6 million for the purchase of Gaizka Mendieta.
Both Italians have signed a four-year contract - Fiore will receive 2 million per year, while Corradi will get one and a half million. They will join Valencia under the guidance of their compatriot coach Claudio Ranieri and defender.
"I am happy because I will play for a great team. I will leave a piece of my heart in Rome. I will always have fond memories of the Lazio fans. I hope that my sale will help solve some financial problems for the club," said Fiore.
"I am happy about the transfer because I believe that Valencia is a team where I can play confidently with my skills. I will leave a part of my heart in Rome, and the choice was easier due to the club's financial problems. With the sale of both me and Stefano, the club will start a new life," added Corradi.
Meanwhile, according to Lazio president Ugo Longo, Valencia got two excellent players. For the Rome club, this was also a good deal - by repaying the debt, Lazio will receive about 6 million from UEFA for participating in the last season's Champions League, and will be able to buy foreign players again as they were prohibited from doing so for almost a year.
