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."