THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TURIN, Italy — Italy winger Simone Pepe is joining Juventus on loan for a year from Serie A rival Udinese.
Pepe will become a Juventus player on July 1, with the Turin club paying Udinese 2.6 million euros (C$3.3 million) for his loan during the 2010-11 season.
Juventus also said Wednesday it will have an option to make it a permanent transfer on a three-year contract for 7.5 million (C$9.4 million) in 2011.
"I am delighted that I have now signed and I will have extra motivation when I play in the World Cup," Pepe said. "In these last two months I have realized two dreams — going to the World Cup and joining a great team."
Pepe is currently with the Italy national team at the World Cup in South Africa. He has 14 goals in 104 appearances for Udinese. Pepe has 15 Italy caps since making his debut against Bulgaria in 2008.
He is the first major signing since Luigi Delneri took over as coach. Delneri has been charged with turning round Juventus’ fortunes after the club finished seventh in the league and crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages.
"Juventus is the most prestigious team in the whole of Italy and its history speaks for itself," Pepe said. "Now I want to write new pages for the club."
Pepe joins Juventus on loan for a year
