Maldonado Leaves Napoli

Napoli have sent 29-year-old defender Maldonado on a season long loan to Argentinian club side Gimnasia La Plata with an option for a second year extension. 

The Paraguayan player has passed the routine medical at the side and put pen to paper on the deal, which sees him move away from Italy for the first time in eight years. Maldonado debuted in Serie A with Venezia in 2000, going on to have loan spells with Cosenza and then Chievo while owned by Napoli.

The Partenopei have decided to release him on loan, thereby opening up a spot in the team for a non-European Union citizen. A new ruling in Italy concerning the nationality of players creates the possibility of signing two non-EU players where at least one is to replace a non-EU player who has become a free agent or moved abroad.  

This means that clubs in Italy now have some more freedom with regards to acquiring players from Africa, Asia and South America. This may be the reason for the deal, as Napoli may have their sights set on a South American to strengthen their squad.