Italian footballer Alberto Gilardino, left, shakes hands with head coach Marcello Lippi of Chinas Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC as Gilardino visits the training field in Guangzhou city, south Chinas Guangdong province, 12 July 2014. The giant of Chinese soccer has attracted another big Italian name. The recently rebranded Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC said Friday (11 July 2014) it signed Alberto Gilardino for €5 million ($6.8 million). The club, which is champion of China and Asia, said Gilardino has signed a two-and-a-half year contract and will join the team in Guangzhou after completing a medical on Saturday. The clubs website carries a picture of the Italian, with the words Welcome to Guangzhou Alberto Gilardino along with his number, 38. Gilardino has played 57 times for Italy, scoring 19 goals. He was part of the Italian squad that won the 2006 World Cup, appearing as a substitute in the semifinal against Germany as well as starting matches earlier in the tournament. He was not selected for this years World Cup in Brazil, where Italy crashed out in the opening round.
