Roma pay 30 million for a teenage talent

As details emerged of the deal revealed by Italian radio Monday evening, it was learned that the 18-year-old striker signed a five- year contract of around 10 million dollars net a year with the Roman powerhouse. He is to join his new club at the end of the season.

The deal between the two clubs includes the transfer to Bari of striker Gaetano D'Agostino, also 18.

Roma coach Fabio Capello said he got interested in acquiring Cassano while "watching him play with the youth team. I was one of the first to say he is one of the new talents of modern football. He has a great technique and is ready for a top club."

Cassano celebrated the contract in Bari over a pizza with friends. "I will give all I can to Bari to take them out of the demotion zone," he said through his lawyer.

"I fulfilled a dream. I wanted Roma and they wanted me: we met and I am very happy," he added.

Cassano was born in Bari on July 12, 1982, the day after Italy won their last World Cup in Spain. He lost his father when still a child and will move to Rome with his mother.

Since his Serie A debut in December 1999, he has scored six goals, half of them in the current season.

Juventus also courted the ace for a while, but baulked at the cost of the transfer. Coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "He was not among our primary goals."

(kil/dpa)