Boselli makes Genoa switch

The loan deal taking misfit Mauro Boselli to Serie A side Genoa has been confirmed by Wigan Athletic.

Boselli joins Genoa – 11th in the Italian top flight – until the end of the season, with an option to make the move permanent.

The Argentine striker arrives at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris as replacement for veteran Luca Toni, who joined Juventus earlier in January.

Boselli moved to Wigan for a reported fee of 6.5 million pounds in June 2010, but he has struggled to make an impression in England, scoring just once in a Carling Cup tie against Swansea.

He earned an opportunity in the English Premier League following 32 goals in 56 appearances for Argentine side Estudiantes de la Plata.

Despite starting just five games in his first half-season in England, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez insists the player has a future at the DW Stadium.

“I have always said we are lucky to have a player of Mauro’s quality at our club, but he needs this opportunity to play because at the moment he cannot be the player he has been at Estudiantes over the past two seasons,” Martinez said.

“At the moment he is not in a position where he can help the squad, and I am confident he will come back a better and stronger player after his stay in Italy. We wish him all the best over there and will be monitoring his progress weekly.”

Fri 14 January, 2011