Official: Zenit St Petersburg sign Domenico Criscito from Genoa
The Italy international has signed a five-year deal with his new club and will continue his career with the Russian champions, who fended off interest from Napoli and PSGZenit St Petersburg have completed the transfer of defender Domenico Criscito from Serie A side Genoa for
an undisclosed fee, with the left-back penning a contract until the summer of 2016.The Russian champions were eager to add a left sided stopper to their squad and head coach Luciano Spalletti has been provided with the defensive reinforcement he requested.
Criscito started his professional career with Genoa and also briefly wore the jersey of Juventus, but failed to make an impact at the Turin giants and returned to his former club in January 2008.
The 24-year-old had since developed into an important first team player at the Luigi Ferraris side and has made over 100 official appearances in his three seasons since.
Criscito made his Italy debut in 2009 and was part of the squad that failed to progress from the group stage at the 2010 World Cup. He will be hopeful that playing Champions League football with Zenit will boost his chances of making Italy's Euro 2012 squad.
Zenit faced competition from teams such as Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter in the race for Criscito's services, but their offer proved to be too tempting to turn down.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2011/06/27/2549868/official-zenit-st-petersburg-sign-domenico-criscito-from