Two Serie A veterans have completed returns to former clubs after the summer transfer window closed, with Stephan El Shaarawy rejoining Genoa and Ricardo Rodriguez signing again for Torino.
The transfer window closed for most European countries on 1 September, but free agents remain able to join clubs outside the main summer and winter registration periods. That has allowed Genoa and Torino to add experienced players after the Serie A deadline.
El Shaarawy has returned to Genoa 15 years after leaving the club. The former Italy international was available as a free agent after his contract with Roma expired on 30 June.
The forward came through Genoa’s academy before moving to Milan in the summer of 2011. His return marks a fresh link with the club where he began his senior career, following his departure from Roma at the end of his contract.
Torino have also brought back a former captain, announcing Rodriguez as a new signing on Thursday. The left-back spent the past two years in LaLiga with Real Betis before returning to the Serie A club.
The 34-year-old has agreed an initial one-year contract with Torino. The deal includes an option to extend his stay for a further 12 months.
Both moves were completed after the main Serie A transfer deadline had passed, demonstrating the opportunity available to clubs seeking players who are not under contract. While permanent deals involving contracted players are generally restricted once the window closes, free agents can still complete moves.
There have also been reports that Roma could use the free-agent market to give manager Gian Piero Gasperini the left-sided winger he had been seeking throughout the summer transfer window.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Wilfried Zaha is one of the possible candidates being considered. The former Crystal Palace player is reportedly among a group of options that also includes Raphael Guerreiro and Krepin Diatta.
No deal for any of those three players had been confirmed in the reports available on Thursday. Their names were mentioned as potential solutions for Roma after the club failed to secure the left-sided attacking option Gasperini had wanted before the transfer deadline.
The completed additions of El Shaarawy and Rodriguez therefore stand apart from the speculation surrounding Roma. Genoa have confirmed the return of their former academy player, while Torino have formally announced Rodriguez’s return on a contract running for at least one season.
Free agents remain eligible to join Serie A clubs even though two days had passed since the league’s summer transfer deadline. That provision has enabled both clubs to complete their late moves and has left the door open for further business involving players without contracts.
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
