OFFICIAL: Fiorentina signs Antonio Rosati

After making over half a dozen transfer-market moves on deadline day last January, it’d be no surprise if some Fiorentina fans were expecting similar late fireworks this year, especially given DS Daniele Pradè’s tendency to not act until late in a Mercato.

This year, however, Fiorentina stayed largely silent. Yes, Eyserric is still here. Tofol Montiel somehow didn’t get a loan, which is a complete management failure. Neither of Fiorentina’s two most pressing needs, a winger and a holding midfielder, was purchased. Instead, Fiorentina made just one move on deadline. Two-time ex-viola Antonio Rosati has been brought in from Torino on a six-month contract to be the backup for both Bartłomiej Drągowski and Pietro Terracciano. Given his age (37) and rank at la Granata (I still haven’t figured out whether he was third or fourth choice goalkeeper), I really hope this transfer was free.

If you’re a little confused about how you don’t know who this guy is when he’s played for Fiorentina twice, I don’t blame you. Rosati has played in a total of one Serie A match in the last seven seasons, that being Torino’s final match last campaign, a 1-1 draw against Bologna.

Rosati made his name with Lecce, first in Serie B, then in Serie A during the 2010-11 season. His good form there propelled him to Napoli, where he deputized for Morgan de Sanctis for two seasons. In 2013, Rosati was loaned to Sassuolo, but in January the loan was terminated early and he moved to Fiorentina for the second half of the season. Rosati started four matches for the Viola, three in Serie A matches and one in the Europa League. After returning to Naples, he then signed for Fiorentina on a free transfer in January of 2015, where he remained for another six months, this time not appearing at all. Since then, Rosati’s spent three seasons in Serie B with Perugia, as well as two and a half with the aforementioned Granata.

How does one analyze this move? Well, I think the only response to the announcement tweet sums it up pretty well.

If Rosati ever sees the pitch for Fiorentina, I’ll be disappointed. That either means that both Drago and Terricciano are hurt, or a primavera goalkeeper isn’t going to be given a chance on matchday 38. However, more experience on the roster never hurts, and having someone who could mentor the younger goalkeepers at the club (such as 17-year prospect Ivan Andonov) could be a positive these next few months.

All in all, I’m happy with this Mercato just because Daniele Pradè wasn’t allowed to waste any more of Rocco Commisso’s money. Fiorentina signing a third-string goalkeeper in what I expect to be Pradè’s last ever transfer with the club is pretty hilarious, and a fitting way to go out.