Bologna capture Bianchi

Bologna have completed the signing of striker Rolando Bianchi on a free transfer from Torino.

The 30-year-old has signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth at what will be his sixth club in his homeland, following spells at Atalanta, Cagliari, Reggina, Lazio and Torino.

Bianchi’s five-year stay in Turin came following a disappointing spell in the Premier League, where he scored just four goals in 19 appearances for Manchester City.

His goalscoring rate picked up significantly after his return to Serie A, and he netted on 76 occasions in 179 outings for Torino.

However, manager Giampiero Ventura was unable to convince the former Italy Under-21 international to extend his stay with the club, and he now begins a new chapter of his career at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Bianchi was handed 25 starts in Serie A in the 2012-13 campaign, and helped Torino to comfortably avoid relegation.

He will now hope to help Bologna build on their 13th-placed finish last term.