Lazio defender Guglielmo Stendardo is delighted with his loan move to Juventus.

Juventus were looking to strengthen their back line and need to replace Jean-Alain Boumsong - who has been sent out on loan to Lyon - ahead of the arrival of Swedish international Olof Mellberg in July.

"I'm happy to have this opportunity and I think this will also make my relatives happy," Stendardo grinned after completing his move.

"To play for a club like this - one of the most glorious in the world - is a cause for pride. Over the next five months I will do my best to give the team a hand."

Stendardo is likely to make his debut in the Coppa Italia against Inter tomorrow night.

"It will be an important game against one of the best sides in Europe," he declared.

"I am at the Coach's disposal. We spoke on the telephone and I thanked him for this chance.

"Here I already know some of my new teammates such as Raffaele Palladino, Emanuele Belardi, Mario Marchionni and Cristian Molinaro.

"I have chosen the No 25 shirt. I have almost always worn No 2, but in Salerno I wore No 5, so I combined the two."