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