FLORENCE, Italy Brazilian striker Edmundo has ended months of speculation by deciding to return to Serie A club Fiorentina this week. The volatile international scored four goals in nine games during his turbulent spell here last season during which he returned briefly to Brazil in a fit of pique. But after negotiating a new deal with club president Vittorio Cecchi Gori, the 27-year-old is now expected here on Wednesday, ready to start training under new coach Giovanni Trapattoni. Edmundo failed to win a pay rise from the Italian TV and movie mogul, but did obtain three concessions from him: A Jeep, six return air tickets to Rio de Janeiro and the re-furnishing of his villa.

A further clause will enable Edmundo to leave Fiorentina at the end of the season for 13 million dollars provided that the new club is Brazilian. Edmundo will form part of Trapattoni's attacking 3-4-3 formation alongside Argentina's Gabriel Batistuta, the Fiorentina captain, and Brazilian-born Belgian international Luis Oliveira. Fiorentina are now likely to sell their promising young playmaker from last season, Domenico Morfeo, with several Serie A clubs already showing interest.

(AFP)