Cagliari president Cellino surprised to have landed Pinilla from Palermo

Cagliari president Massimo Cellini admits he was surprised to land Palermo striker Mauricio Pinilla.

Pinilla scored against his former club in Sunday's 2-1 win.

"It was my sporting director who asked me to make a bid for Pinilla,” Cagliari chief Cellino told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I told him that [Palermo President] Maurizio [Zamparini] would send me to hell if I asked for the striker. However, I picked up the phone and, instead of insulting me, he gave me the player by asking for a reasonable fee too.

“Zamparini explained to me that the boy needed a change of air and that he would be happy to give him to me, a friend.

“I thanked Zamparini at the time and I did so again the other day. It was a nice gesture from him.”