by Anton Johan
The start of the
2010-11 Serie A season is just over a week away (Saturday, August 28) and while Italian football fans are counting down the days before the country's premier football league gets underway, here's the latest news.
Fans of AC Milan will be holding thumbs that
defender Alessandro Nesta is fully recovered from a recent operation - to repair a fractured arm - so that he'll be able to play in the club's season opener at home against Lecce on Sunday, August 29.
A statement on AC Milan's official website said 'Nesta as had surgery on his right arm after fracturing the fourth metacarpal in a friendly against Juventus in the Tim Trophy, but it was a success and he should be available for the opening day of the championship.'
No stranger to injury, the 34-year-old defender missed the 2008-09 season due to a back problem. However, as a regular fixture in the Italian national football squad (with 78 appearances) Nesta is a highly popular player with AC Milan fans.
But they will also likely have to get used to a new face in the form of English midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who departed English club Portsmouth to join Serie A's Genoa. Although, Genoa are expected to loan him out immediately to AC Milan.
The 23-year-old recently impressed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa playing for his native Ghana, and despite Portsmouth being relegated from the English Premier League last season, he was one of the club's few bright lights.
Said Boeteng before he left the UK, 'I'm coming to Italy. For me it is a dream come true.' According to reports, Genoa will pay cash-strapped Portsmouth £5 million for Boeteng's services, despite the fact they may lose him to AC Milan for good.
