Sebastian Giovinco
Juventus have confirmed the signing of attacking midfielder Sebastian Giovinco for €11mn, from Parma Reuters

Italian club Juventus have confirmed the signing of attacking midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, according to a statement on the club's official Web site, in a deal worth €11mn. The player has signed a three year contract with the Turin club.

The 25 year old Italian international is presently with the national team preparing to play England in a quarterfinal of the 2012 European Championship.

Giovinco graduated from the Juventus youth system in 2006 and made his professional debut in a Serie B game against Bologna in 2007. Of short stature and physique but with top class close quarters ball control, Giovinco was given the nickname "formica atomica" or "atom ant", after the cartoon character of the same name. The player has long been seen as one of Juventus' most prized assets and goals such as the one he scored on 4 November, 2007, while on loan to Empoli and in a game against Roma, earmarked him as the next Alessandro Del Piero, as reports in the Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport suggested.

Nevertheless he struggled to establish himself in Juve's first team and was loaned out to Parma for the 2010/11 season. The club was given an option to buy 50 percent of the player at the end of the season; they did so, for €3mn. In two seasons with the club, Giovinco scored 23 goals, and set up 17 others, in 70 appearances in all competitions. His performances convinced his parent club and they began negotiations with the Ennio Tardini outfit.

Incidentally, a Goal.com report states there was some confusion earlier in the week over the transfer. It appears a notice went up on Parma's official Web site on Tuesday with intimation of the transfer. However, the notice was swiftly removed and the club insisted no deal had been struck. A report then quoted his agent, Andrea D'Amico, as stating the player would definitely move back to Juventus in the summer and another Goal.com report quoted the statement on Parma's Web site, which was later removed.

In any case, it is now certain that Gionvinco has transferred back to Juventus, with the club purchasing Parma's 50 percent of the player.

Giovinco's signing comes after Juventus confirmed the transfer of another attacking player - Emanuele Giaccherini - on Tuesday. A statement on the club's Web site stated they had bought out the rights of Giaccherini, from Cesena, for €4.25mn. Like Giovinco, Giaccherini also signed a three year contract and is presently with the national team.