Adriano joins Inter as Parma sell
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Brazilian striker Adriano is 'happy' after returning to Inter
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ROME, Italy -- Inter Milan have signed 21-year-old Brazilian striker Adriano from cash-strapped Serie A rivals Parma, club officials said on Wednesday.
Adriano, who has agreed a contract which runs until June 2008, was co-owned by the clubs -- and Inter are said to have paid $29m for Parma's share.
Inter agreed to let him go on loan to Parma at the start of the 2002/03 season -- he hit 15 goals in 28 league outings -- after a brief spell in their first team and a short stint at Fiorentina.
As part of the deal, Inter reserves Isah Eliakwu and Ianis Zicu have moved to Parma on loan.
Adriano admitted it felt good to be back at the San Siro. "I am happy to come back home and hope I can help the club improve," he said.
"It was thanks to Inter I came to Italy and its good to be back. I hope I play here for many years.
"I'm sure that by playing with Inter I will become a great player. I cherish the Inter shirt and I want to work hard to win."
The powerfully-built forward, whose full name is Adriano Leite Ribeiro, has been in scintillating form this season.
He has scored nine league goals for debt-ridden Parma, who have been forced to offload their star player to ease their crippling debts.
Parma's future remains uncertain following the collapse of parent company Parmalat, who are at the center of a multi-billion euro accounting scandal.
Adriano, who turns 22 on February 17, joined Inter from Brazilian club Flamengo in the summer of 2001. He scored one goal in 14 appearances for them in the 2001/02 season.
His departure follows that of Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, who was loaned to Bologna earlier this month.
