Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle is delighted with their capture of Alberto Gilardino this season.

Della Valle said: "He was the most important investment by our management, he is a boy who has bounced back after his crisis in Milan, but the quality could not be doubted.

"With the guarantee of our coach, he was not a gamble, there was perhaps a little courage needed for the big investment, but there were guarantees.

"He had to find some serenity, as sometimes happens to some kids in big cities. For me, what is happening now for the boy is well deserved, because he is a respectable guy, quality, who still has so much hunger for success."