January Mercato Review 2014

With the transfer window closing last Friday, I have finally had chance to assess the business that Torino have managed to do in the last month.

Firstly Torino managed to complete the loan signing of Greek midfielder Panagiotis Tactsidis on loan from Catania. The former Roma played made his debut against Sassuolo, and will provide a younger alternative to Giuseppe Vives as the play maker in the Granata midfield.

In the closing weeks of the window, Toro also managed to secure the signature of Slovenian midfielder Jasmin Kurtic on loan from Sassuolo on loan until the end of the season. 

As part of the deal that has brought Kurtic to Turin, experienced midfielder Matteo Brighi has joined Sassuolo on a permanent deal. Brighi made 39 appearances and scored 5 goals during his two seasons at the club, and was a reliable player whose inclusion in the starting eleven often improved the performance of the team - especially last season. However, at 32 he was no longer guaranteed a place in the starting eleven, and I would personally like to thank Matteo for his performances for the club, and wish him all the best at his new club.

The most predictable departure from Torino this January was that of Danilo D'Ambrosio, who completed his long awaited move to Inter towards the end of the window. D'Ambrosio has been a key member of the squad for the past two seasons, but the full back made it clear that he would not sign an extension to his contract that expires in June, so Toro decided to cash in. 

For the supporters at his new club, I cannot speak highly enough of D'Ambrosio's recent performances and I believe I may have been the person who started the 'Danilo D'Ambrosio for Italy' campaign at some point last season. The former Juve Stabia defender is equally comfortable at right back or left back, and is excellent going forward, and also for someone who is only 5ft 11, he is exceptional in the air as well.

However, I would still have some question marks surrounding his ability to defend and the fact that he was unable to dispose the excellent Matteo Darmian from being the regular right back for the club suggests that Giampiero Ventura was also of this opinion.

Although it has yet to be officially confirmed, Torino have also completed the signing of Montenegro international Marko Vešović on a free transfer after the full back left Red Star Belgrade following a contract dispute. 

Forza Toro