Francesco Totti to retire from the Azzuri
Francesco Totti to retire from the Azzuri
Totti has scored nine goals in 58 appearances for the Azzurri.

Rome: Francesco Totti has decided to retire permanently from Italy's national team, a news report said.

The Gazzetta dello Sport said Totti was willing to play on a part-time basis but the Italian soccer federation would not accept such a situation.

The 30-year-old playmaker hasn't played for the Azzurri since the World Cup final against France last year.

Totti announced after the World Cup that he needed to take a break to help his surgically repaired left ankle recuperate. He scored 26 goals for AS Roma this past season to lead Serie A.

Totti has scored nine goals in 58 appearances for the Azzurri.

Meanwhile, Alessandro Nesta's future with Italy remains unknown. The AC Milan defender has also considered retirement.

In another big news, Christian Vieri has reached an agreement with Fiorentina for a one-year contract.

The deal is worth $2.07 million, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 34-year-old Vieri scored two goals after returning from knee surgery at the end of last season with Atalanta. He has 134 in his Serie A career and led Italy with five goals at the 1998 World Cup.

"I spoke with (Vieri) and he's very motivated," Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli was quoted as saying by the Gazzetta.

Fiorentina was in desperate need of a scorer since Luca Toni left for Bayern Munich at the end of last season in a deal that earned Fiorentina $15.2 million.

Vieri was not under contract with Atalanta anymore.

Fiorentina has also reached an agreement with Chievo Verona to purchase midfielder Franco Semioli for $7.6 million, the Gazzetta said.

The Tuscan club is preparing a three-year contract for the 27-year-old Semioli, a recent addition to Italy's national team.

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