Immobile signs for Dortmund
June 2, 2014
Borussia Dortmund completed the signing of Italian striker Ciro Immobile in a three-year deal on Wednesday. The player, co-owned by Juventus and Torino, joined for 19 million euros ($25.8 million), with the fee divided between his two clubs.
The 24-year-old finished with the most goals in the Italian Serie A last season, netting 22 in 33 matches for Torino. His outstanding domestic form has earned him a place in Italy's 23-man World Cup squad.
Immobile has impressed enough to beat Fiorentina's Giuseppe Rossi to one of the main attacking roles, in spite of appearing just twice for the Azzurri.
"We are getting a versatile and dynamic striker who has established himself in a top European league in an impressive manner," said Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.
Borussia Dortmund have been forced to negotiate with both Juventus and Torino for his signature due to the complexities of the Italian co-ownership scheme. The concept is focused around clubs gaining financial incentives for developing players through loan partnerships.
Immobile has been at Juventus since 2008, but developed his game during loan spells at Sienna, Grosseto, Pescara and then during co-ownership deals at Genoa and Torino.
He was even named Serie B top scorer on his season-long loan at Pescara when he netted 28 goals in the 2011-12 campaign.
Juventus purchased back 50 percent of his ownership rights from Genoa in the summer of 2013, but then sold the other half to city rivals Torino where he spent the whole of last season.
Dortmund have been keen to replace Robert Lewandowski before the World Cup as normal transfers values are affected by post-tournament inflation.
Immobile is the fourth signing of the summer for Dortmund following Nuri Sahin (loan move made permanent from Real Madrid), Dong-Wong Ji (Augsburg) and Adrian Ramos (Hertha BSC).