Napoli strengthen their defence by bringing in full-back

Napoli have confirmed the signing of right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo from Empoli.

The 25-year-old scored five goals - including the winner against the Serie A runners-up in April - in 37 league appearances in the 2018-19 season.

Di Lorenzo's move was made official on Friday with media reports in Italy suggesting he completed a medical last week.

"I'm happy about my new adventure at a prestigious club like Napoli," he told his new team's official website. "I can’t wait to start the new season and get to know my new team-mates."

Di Lorenzo - who represented Italy at under-21 level twice in 2013 - was unable to prevent Empoli from suffering relegation on the final day of the campaign.

7 - Only Trent Alexander-Arnold (9) and Andrew Robertson (8) have been directly involved in more goals than Giovanni Di Lorenzo, 7 (5 goals and 2 assists) between defenders in the top-5 European Leagues in 2019. Arrow.#DiLorenzo pic.twitter.com/YAQKW3RFLf
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 7, 2019

DERBI MARADONA BAKAL CURI TUMPUAN

Dalam meniti zaman kegemilangan, ikon bola sepak dunia, Diego Maradona pernah menyarung jersi dua pasukan hebat dari dua buah negara, Barcelona dan Napoli – ironinya kedua-dua pasukan ini akan bertemu di pusingan 16 terbaik Liga Juara Juara Eropah (UCL) pada Februari 2024 dan pemerhati bola sepak menggelarnya sebagai Derbi Maradona.