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Sampdoria have completed the signing of former Fiorentina and Manchester United youth centre back Michele Fornasier on a free transfer.
Fornasier’s move to United four years ago was a controversial one. United lured him away in 2009, and his club side Fiorentina were absolutely livid. They had hoped to tie him down to a permanent contract, but Manchester United announced a deal signing him just after his 16th birthday.
Fiorentina did not receive a fee for as he was not a registered player due to his age, and launched a bitter complaint to football’s governing body FIFA, alleging an illegal approach and wrongdoing by United. However, FIFA dismissed the complaints after three weeks due to improper reasoning and insufficient paperwork.
| Date of birth: | 22.08.1993 |
| Place of birth: | Vittorio Veneto |
| Age: | 19 |
| Height: | 1,86 |
| Nationality: | Italy |
| Position: | Defence – Centre Back |
| Foot: | right |
| Player’s agent: | Manuel Montipò |
When Manchester United confirmed the release of several players at the end of the last season, there was a surprising name on that list - Michele Fornasier. The Italian centre-back had been a regular fixture for the club’s title winning under-21 side, making 22 appearances this season and striking up a reliable defensive partnership with Tom Thorpe.
He failed to make any first team appearances during his time at United. The number of options United have for the centre of defense, and with Garay being touted to land at Old Trafford before the end of the transfer season, were perhaps the reason Fornasier was released.
Fornasier was clearly delighted about his move when speaking to SampTV: “I’m very happy to be a Sampdoria player. Sampdoria has a great story and I can’t wait to get started. The experience at United? It was a great experience, when I received the opportunity to move when I was 16 I couldn’t refuse it. Now I have returned to Italy to showcase what I have learned in England. My goal is to do well and show all my skills.”
Fornasier (19) is another exciting young talent to join the Genoa-based club this summer, with Regini (22) and Eramo (23) already on board plus Polish International Pawel Wsolek (21) just awaiting official confirmation.
