Lazio sign Bianchi on loan
Rolando Bianchi goes out on loan to Lazio for rest of season
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Wednesday, 23, Jan 2008 10:50
Lazio have sealed a loan deal for Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi after the Italian asked to leave Eastlands.
Bianchi travelled to Italy today to complete a medical following City's decision to let him leave the club until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old joined Sven-Goran Eriksson's team for £8.8 million from Reggina this summer but struggled to adjust to the English lifestyle.
Despite only being at the club for six months the Italian decided to seek a move back to his homeland after failing to settle in England.
A statement from the club confirmed: "Rolando Bianchi has gone on loan to Lazio until the end of the season, with a view to joining the Rome club on a permanent deal afterwards."
City are believed to have negotiated a clause that will give the Italian side the option to buy Bianchi for a similar fee to what they paid Reggina.
Bianchi left a message on his personal website thanking the City fans for their support and owner Thaksin Shinawatra for taking him to the Premier League.
He said: "I want to thank the City fans from the bottom of my heart.
"They have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like one of them. I will take in my heart their passion and their attachment to the team."
Lazio will hope the striker, who has scored four goals in 19 league appearances for City, can help them move up the Serie A table as they currently lie just two points above the relegation zone.