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Giuseppe Rossi Completes Old Trafford Switch

New Arrival - Rossi
By Chris O'Brien
July 7 2004
16-year-old midfielder Giuseppe Rossi has completed his move from Parma to Old Trafford. United do not have to splash out on a fee for the youngster had he not signed a professional contract with the Italian outfit, so the Red Devils need only pay compensation to Parma.
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Manchester United have now completed the signing of 16-year-old Parma starlet Giuseppe Rossi after completing negotiations with the player and his agent. The teenager had not signed a professional contract with the Italian outfit, and thus moves to the Red Devils on a free transfer with United only having to pay compensation to the Serie A outfit, indicating Sir Alex Ferguson has secured another steal signing.

Rossi has been playing for Parma's Under-19 side and has also been capped for the Italian Under-19 side, and reports from Italy suggest he is a very developed player with a bright future ahead of him. Primarily a midfielder, Rossi was born in the United States but moved to Italy at a young age. He will bring versatility to the squad as he also favours attacking roles, and often played as a forward for the Parma youth team.

The youngster is unlikely to break into the first-team at Old Trafford for several seasons, but the signing indicates another attempt to safeguard the club's future by manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The youth set-up at Old Trafford has taken some, perhaps unfair, criticism and the signings of several youngsters from the United boss over the summer will hamper the progress of the local lads in the academy. 17-year-old Pique has already signed from Barcelona, and rumours suggest Sir Alex Ferguson is scouring Europe for more fresh talent.

United are set to leave for their America tour shortly, and despite the absence of Eric Djemba-Djemba from the trip it is highly unlikely that Rossi will make the trip over the water. He is likely to be involved in the reserve teams pre-season build up, and may even be loaned out to another Football League club or to one of United's many feeder clubs to give him valuable experience for his future career at United.

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