Charlton Athletic: Di Canio joins Lazio

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley has revealed that the future of Paolo Di Canio will be resolved in the next few days.

The former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday star has returned to Italy for "family reasons" although reports claim he is in talks to return to boyhood club Lazio.

Lazio have confirmed their interest in the mercurial forward and it appears that Di Canio will leave London for Rome, despite recently signing a new one-year deal with Charlton.

Curbishley admitted they will respect whatever decision Di Canio comes to.

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[Edited on 10/8/04 by TRD]

It looks like he wants to go. Who could blame him wating to go back home and finish his career.

It is looking very likely he will go. Charlton should just let him, you can't stand in his way. Di Canio is a great player and i guess they will be gutted he wants to go.

Lazio hope to tie up a deal for Charlton's Italian veteran Paolo Di Canio in the next 24 hours.

Di Canio, 36, has indicated he wants to end his career with the club he supported as a boy and where he started his career.

Lazio sporting director Oreste Cinquini says that the only hurdle to be cleared is for Charlton to give the move their blessing.

Paolo di Canio has left Charlton Athletic to join Lazio on a free transfer, the Rome club has announced.

The veteran striker had been longing for a return to Lazio, the club with whom he began his career in 1985 before leaving for Juventus in 1990, and his wish has now been granted.

"SS Lazio announce that we have reached an agreement to sign Paolo di Canio on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic," read a statement on the club's official website, www.sslazio.it.


Di Canio has been signed to aid the development of Lazio's numerous young players, as well as to provide a reference point for the new, inexperienced coach Domenico Caso.