Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi has confirmed that the Serie A club have completed the signing of Valeri Bojinov from Manchester City. Bojinov spent last season on loan at Parma and the club have been working hard to make his return to Italy a permanent one.

A last-ditch bid from Sevilla and other Spanish sides threatened to scupper their plans and Ghirardi has praised the Bulgaria striker for ensuring Parma won out. "I am very happy to announce the successful outcome of a deal that we have been pursuing since last January," said Ghirardi.

I am happy, it is a deal that we have been taking forward since January.
Tommaso Ghirardi, Parma president

"From today Bojinov is a Parma player. I am happy, it is a deal that we have been taking forward since January. Over time the price went up and down. The documents arrived today, we will announce all the details at a press conference on Wednesday.

"We reached an agreement the City. I am grateful to Valeri, who really wanted to stay at Parma. The details of the contract will be established between (general director Pietro) Leonardi and the staff of the player."

Bojinov, whose time in the Premier League was blighted by injury, spent three years at Lecce and two at Fiorentina - including a season-long loan at Juventus - before he was signed by then City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2007.