Inter sign Panucci

Internazionale have signed a five year deal with Italian national team defender Christian Panucci.

After three years at Real Madrid the former AC Milan right back has agreed to lead Inter next season. He will be new coach Marcello Lippi's choice as captain for the Inter side.

Sources at the Milan giants confirmed a Spanish television story this afternoon that the 27 year old was coming to the club. He will certainly receive a hostile reception from Milan fans next season as players rarely cross the divide between the two clubs and Panucci was at one time regarded as a symbol of the new Milan side when he first established himself in the first team at the start of this decade.

Panucci is a committed winner and a very powerful header of the ball who can also score goals. His raids down the right flank are a hallmark of his game but he is excellent positionally and a strong tackler. He is the first major signing for the new Inter under Lippi and has cost the club a £6 million transfer fee.

Real Madrid are keen to replace him with Celta Vigo's star defender Michel Salgado but Juventus are keen to also bring that player to Italy's Serie A.

Panucci won the European Cup in 1994 with Milan and again last year at Real.