Real Betis sign Italian Castellini
MADRID, Spain -- Italian defender Paolo Castellini has joined Real Betis from Torino on a five-year contract, the Primera Liga club said on Tuesday.
"He was a player I had asked for," said Betis coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer. "He is a good professional and we all knew that he was very keen to join us and that's why we chose him."
The 25-year-old left back, who played on loan at Serie A side Brescia last season, is the first signing since Betis ended last season ninth in the Primera Liga.
Betis are also reported to be on the verge of reaching an agreement to transfer in Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira from Valencia.
The club received some worrying news, too, on Tuesday when routine pre-season medical tests carried out on the squad showed Denilson was still suffering from serious knee pain.
The Brazilian international forward had surgery earlier in the year to deal with the problem.
"It's a real set-back to our plans," said Serra Ferrer. "But we have to face up to it and there is certain to be another player who will be keen to take his place."
