Vincenzo Montella Joins Fulham on Loan

Fulham today signed striker Vincenzo Montella on loan from Roma for the rest of the season.

The news was confirmed by Roma's website, which announced: "[We have] completed an agreement with Fulham Football Club to loan on a temporary and free basis the sporting rights of the footballer Vincenzo Montella for what remains of the 2006-7 sporting season."

The 32-year-old, who is nicknamed 'Il Aeroplanino' (The Aeroplane) because of his trademark goal celebration, has scored 84 goals in 180 games since joining Roma in 1999. He was a key figure in the club's 2001 Serie A triumph despite frequently starting on the bench - his goals after coming on as a substitute settled several matches and, he later said, justified his refusal to relinquish the No9 jersey to Gabriel Batistuta, who had demanded it after joining at the start of the season from Fiorentina.

However a recurring shoulder injury has kept Montella out of action for long periods this season and, even when fit, the preference of Roma coach Luciano Spalletti for a lone striker has usually seen him kept on the bench. Montella previously played for Empoli, Genoa and Sampdoria. He was part of the Italy squad for the 2002 World Cup but did not feature in Marcello Lippi's victorious 23-man party in Germany last year.

Meanwhile, manager Chris Coleman has confirmed that Collins John could be set to make room for Montella after a bid from an unnamed Premiership club was accepted. John - strongly linked with Watford recently - will be allowed to leave for a fee in the region of £2m. American midfielder Clint Dempsey has also passed a medical at Craven Cottage and awaits the outcome of a work permit application next week.