jose - soccer

Cannavaro's contract with Madrid end next month, and he has now signed a one-year deal with Juve, the club he left in 2006 in the wake of the 'calciopoli' scandal. His move angered many fans and when his possible return to the club was first mooted it received mixed reactions from Juve fans, some of whom have not forgiven him for deserting them in 2006.

Even so, the player is looking forward to making his return to Turin and winning over his detractors. "I'm delighted to have returned to Turin and to have the opportunity to wear the black and white jersey again," said Italy's World Cup-winning captain. "I'm sorry that in some fans anger prevails over the appreciation for the glorious seasons we lived through together. "I'm convinced that I can win over even the biggest sceptics through hard work, professionalism and the passion with which I will tackle this new adventure."

Cannavaro won the title in both his previous seasons at Juventus but the club was stripped of those for their role in the calciopoli match-fixing scandal. The centre-back was born in Naples and played for hometown club Napoli for three seasons before joining Parma in 1995, with whom he won the UEFA Cup and two Italian Cups over a seven-year period. He left to join Inter Milan in 2002 but after only two seasons moved on to Juve.

Upon joining Real Madrid in 2006 he helped the club win back-to-back La Liga titles. He has been a winner both domestically and internationally as well as on a personal level and that is what convinced Juve sports director Alessio Secco to bring him back. "Fabio is a World Cup winner, a Ballon d'Or winner and a great man in the changing rooms," he said. "During the summer of 2006 the club had to sell him to deal with an economic crisis. This year we have waited out the end of Cannavaro's (Real) contract in order to bring him back to Turin and we're sure that he will make Juventus more competitive."The Serie A club said Tuesday the 35-year-old defender, who left for Real Madrid in 2006, signed a one-year contract to rejoin the Turin side on July 1.

Cannavaro, the 2006 world player of the year, angered Juve fans when he left for Madrid after the Italian club was demoted in a match-fixing scandal. "I am happy to be back in Turin and to have the opportunity to again wear the black-and-white jersey," Cannavaro said on the club's Web site. "I'm sorry that among some of the fans there still prevails rancor about appreciating the glorious seasons that we lived together," he said.

Cannavaro pledged to win over "even the most skeptical among them through my work, professionalism and passion with which I'll face this new adventure." Juve said that in 2006 it was "forced to let him go to deal with urgent financial needs." The club said it was sure that Cannavaro's presence "will make Juventus more competitive."

Cannavaro's return was announced a day after Juve fired coach Claudio Ranieri. The club has gone winless in its last seven games and is only one point clear of Fiorentina in the race for third place, with two games remaining. Ciro Ferrara, a former Juve defender, was put in charge for the rest of the season.

Real Madrid have emerged as an unlikely candidate to rescue Ronaldinho from AC Milan. According to Sport, sources close to Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, have confirmed that he is looking for a change in scenery, at a club of similar stature.

it's clear that the former FIFA World Player Of The Year is unhappy in Italy, as can be seen from his comments while on international duty in Brazil, when he said, "I want a meeting with the directors of Milan at the end of the season." "This has not been a great season for me, but I am a professional and I want to help win titles. I will not speculate on my future until the end of the season."

According to Sport, sources close to Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, have confirmed that he is looking for a change in scenery, at a club of similar stature. Of course, Manchester City have been extensively linked with him, but Ronaldinho is thought not to be keen on a move to the club. In addition, Robinho has hardly painted a glowing picture of life at Eastlands to his compatriot.

All of this has alerted Florentino Perez, who is almost certain to take over at the Bernabeu. The ex-Real Madrid president managed to lure Ronaldo, and, of course, Luis Figo to Madrid despite their Barcelona connections, and could fancy his chances again. Ronaldinho's departure from Barcelona was far from amicable, and he could see a move to the capital as the perfect way to get back at Joan Laporta's administration.

The last word, however, goes to Roberto De Assis, who insists that, "Various clubs have contacted us about the possibility of signing Ronaldinho, but everything rests with AC Milan."

Ronaldinho risks the wrath of Barcelona fans with moves afoot to take the AC Milan star to Real Madrid next season. Sport says sources close to Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, state there's been contact with Real representatives about a return to Spain. The former World Player of the Year has failed to settle in Milan, where he again started from the bench before scoring in yesterday's victory over Lecce.

While Manchester City are also keen, Ronaldinho would prefer a return to Spain, even if it means upsetting his Barca fans.

(source: soccerway,tribalfootball,goal.com)