Sunday, June 1 2008 -- Italian and European giants AC Milan have confirmed the signing of the Italian international defender Gianluca Zambrotta from Spanish giants FC Barcelona this summer. They posted a message on their official website simply declaring that Zambrotta is now a Milan player.

The 2006 World Cup winner was signed by Barcelona in the summer of 2006 from Italian giants Juventus after the latter were relegated to the Italian Serie B due to match-fixing. He had a decent first season at Camp Nou but in the 2007-2008 season persistently complained of missing his home nation Italy.

He and his family also failed to settle in the Catalan capital and Zambrotta has been touted to leave the Camp Nou since January this year. He was favoured to sign for Milan and now his wish has come to fruition.

Reports in the Italian press suggest that Milan had to pay Barca a decentish transfer fee of 8.5 million euros. Zambrotta has signed a three-year contract with Milan and shall earn around 4 million euros per season.

This is the statement on Milan's official website:

"It’s now official. Gianluca Zambrotta is now a Milan player.

"The defender is about to play in the European Championship with Italy and he leaves Barcelona to strengthen the Milan defence."