OFFICIAL: Fiorentina acquires Biraghi on loan

Finally, we have another left back! Cristiano Biraghi joins Fiorentina on loan from Pescara with an obligation to buy for around €3 million, pending tomorrow’s medical.

The 24 year old is from Lombardy and is a product of the Internazionale youth setup, where he was converted to left back after starting his career as a midfielder. Something of a journeyman, Biraghi has been owned by Inter for most of his career but never played for them, having been sent out on loan to various teams including Chievo and Catania in Serie A and Granada in La Liga, before being sold to Pescara last year. Biraghi also has experience on the Italy U-21 setup under Ciro Ferrara, which should be encouraging for those who were hoping for the continued Italianization of Fiorentina.

Although he started his career as a midfielder and has experience as a wingback, Biraghi is not particularly aggressive an attacker, though he possesses decent crossing ability and is good at making timely interceptions and clearances.

After showing an unwillingness to commit significant expenses on the fullback position, Fiorentina have found a fairly young Serie A starting quality option who at a minimum is an upgrade on Hrvoje Milic and potentially Maxi Olivera.