Fiorentina complete loan signing of Torreira

Carlo Garganese | Editor

Fiorentina have completed the loan signing of Lucas Torreira from Arsenal.

Torreira will spend the 2021-22 season at the Stadio Franchi for a fee of €1.5 million, with the Viola retaining an option to make the deal permanent for a further €15m.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined Arsenal from Sampdoria in 2018 for a fee of around €30m (£26m).

However, after a reasonably good first season with the Gunners, he fell out of favour in his second campaign.

Torreira never won over manager Mikel Arteta after his arrival in 2019 and was shipped out on loan to Atletico Madrid last season as part of the deal that saw Thomas Partey move to London.

The Uruguayan failed to win a first-team place in the Spanish capital city but did earn a La Liga winners’ medal.

He now return to Serie A where he made his name first at Pescara and then at Sampdoria.

Torreira delighted to return to Serie A

“I had already been thinking of returning to Italy for some time, and fortunately the proposal arrived from Fiorentina, who really wanted me,” Torreira told the official Fiorentina website.

“I am very happy to be here. (Director Daniele) Pradè is a wonderful person and really helped me when I was at Sampdoria.

“I spoke often with him over the last few weeks. I’m also happy for him that this move went through, because he really was determined.

“I can’t wait to challenge myself with this team. It’s up to coach Italiano whether I am ready to play against Torino this weekend or not. Forza Viola!”

Torreira made a total of 89 appearances during his time at Arsenal, winning the FA Cup and also claiming a Europa League runners-up medal.