The Italian Job

Swindon's third Summer signing -
Raffaele De Vita

Paolo Di Canio returned to town yesterday and brought with him news of Swindon's third signing of the Summer, sealing the capture of Italian striker Raffaele De Vita on a free transfer.

Di Canio's initial arrival after a two-week hiatus in Italy coinscided with Wednesday's press conference, although no announcements on new signings were made. Despite completing a medical and meeting club executives on Wednesday evening, De Vita's signing was only confirmed yesterday, becoming the third player to arrive at the Country Ground close season.

De Vita - a former Blackburn trainee - has spent the past three seasons with newly-promoted Scottish Division One side Livingston. Since signing for Livi in 2008, he has gone on to make 67 appearances, scoring 21 goals as the Lions secured successive league titles in Division Two and Three respectively.

The general consensus amongst Town fans is that the signing is a positive move for a Swindon side with a severly depleted front line, although Di Canio insists the signing of De Vita is 'one for the future' and that he has targetted two further first-team strikers that he hopes to sign next week.

Whilst Di Canio secured the services of his fellow countryman De Vita through his desire to win promotion, he is having more trouble in bringing another Italian to the club; Alberto Comazzi. The 32 year old centre back is currently unattached and although he is said to be keen on a move to Swindon, faces the prospect of moving a settled family should he accept Town's terms.

The Italian defender has spent his entire career in his homeland, enjoying eight years at current Serie B side Hellas Verona and counts the likes of Lazio and AC Milan amongst his former clubs. He does, however, have offers from clubs back in Italy and is thought to be mulling his options over, though if Di Canio's assurances are anything to go by he should be a Swindon player this time next week.