Ventola heads home

Last updated : 05 July 2005 By Nik Taylor

Nicola Ventola has completed a free transfer to Italian Serie B side Atalanta, where he has signed a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old joined Palace at the beginning of last season on a one-year loan deal from Inter Milan.

But after he missed almost all of last season through injury, the Eagles were only prepared to offer the Italian frontman a pay-as-you-play deal for next season – even though his registration had become available for nothing.

Ventola notched a single goal for Palace last season – the almost crucial strike that put us 2-1 up in the home game against Southampton. He made three appearances for the club, all from the substitutes’ bench.