Seeing how the lack of transfers the previous year had negatively conditioned the season, this time round President Claudio Lotito moved with more judgement and brought in a number of interesting players.
Welcome
Juan Pablo Carrizo, goalkeeper from Argentina, had been signed the previous season but due to the fact that his European passport did not arrive in time Lazio had to loan him back to River Plate. But in this transfer window he could finally arrive thanks to Cristian Ledesma receiving his Italian passport. Carrizo is considered to be the heir to Angelo Peruzzi and there is a lot of expectancy.
A forward, Mauro Zarate, also Argentinian, joins on loan with an option to buy from the Qatari club Al-Sadd. He is very highly considered having previously played for Velez Sarsfield and winning an U20’s World Cup. Last season he played for Birmingham City.
Libor Kozak, Czech forward, is a young, tall (1.93) centre forward arriving from Opava. He will join the Primavera team with the possibility of also getting some playing time in Serie A.
Stephan Lichtsteiner, Swiss right back, considered to be one of the best right backs of Ligue 1 last season. He arrives from Lille.
Francelino Matuzalém, Brazilian midfielder, arrives from Real Saragozza but he has already played in Italy (Napoli, Piacenza and Brescia). A very experienced playmaker, it is hoped that Matuzalém can improve Lazio's midfield.
Cristian Brocchi, midfielder, is a Milan veteran who should bring lots of experience to the team.
Goodbye (or almost)
Gaby Mudingay is surprisingly sold to Bologna. Fan favourite and excellent midfield player, many will be sad to see him go. He leaves Lazio after 83 appearances and one goal.
Luciano Zauri is loaned to Fiorentina, after playing for the Biancocelesti five years with 165 appearances and six goals.
Valon Behrami threatened to use FIFA’s article 17 to leave Lazio but in the end was sold to West Ham United. He leaves the club after 77 appearances and five goals.
Gulielmo Stendardo, coming back from his loan to Juventus, is sent to Lecce again on loan. He has played 67 games for Lazio with four goals.
Rolando Bianchi arrived on loan from Manchester City with an option to buy and it was thought that Lazio would then actually sign him. Instead they preferred Zarate, as a consequence Bianchi went back to Manchester who later sold him to Torino. He appeared in 17 games and scored 4 goals.
Igli Tare has quit football and has now taken the job as coordinator for Lazio. President Lotito is thinking of giving him the job of Sports Director in the future. He appeared in 65 games (four goals) over three years for the Biancocelesti.
Marco Ballotta, veteran Lazio goalkeeper, finally quits professional football at 44. He will continue playing but in lower semi-professional tiers. In total he appeared in 85 games for Lazio over six years in two stints.
Roberto Baronio, for the sixth time, is sent out on loan and for the second time to Brescia. An eternally unfulfilled promise, he arrived in 1996!!! He leaves after 65 appearances and four goals. Will he be back?
Fabio Vignaroli was one of the main reasons many fans were angry with Lotito regarding last year’s transfers. Certainly not up to par quality wise. His contract was not renewed and he signed with Panthrakikos in Greece. He played 9 games last season.
Winter transfer window
No new arrivals but a number of players left in some way or form.
Massimo Mutarelli was put out of the squad by manager Delio Rossi and he took the club to court, won his case and left. He played 63 games for Lazio with 5 goals. He signed for Bologna.
Stephen Makinwa has not been able to repeat his good years and slowly faded. He is sent on loan to Chievo Verona in the hope that there is still a spark in him. He has played 50 games for Lazio with three goals.
Tommaso Berni, Lazio’s second goalkeeper, is sent on loan to Salernitana after two appearances.
Manuel Belleri was sold to Bologna. He appeared once so far this season and was on loan at Atalanta last season. He leaves Lazio after 46 appearances and 3 goals.
Fabio Firmani, having never played so far this season, is sent on loan to Al-Wasl in the United Arab Emirates. He has played 30 games for the Biancocelesti with three goals.
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