Roma complete Giuly signing

Roma confirmed the signing of French forward Ludovic Giuly, seen here in 2006, from Spanish side Barcelona on Tuesday.

      ROME (AFP) - Roma completed the signing of Ludovic Giuly from Spanish side Barcelona on Tuesday.

      The 31-year-old French forward, whose contract with Barcelona was due to expire next year, has signed a three-year contract.

      Barcelona, who were pipped to the Spanish league title on the final day of the season by fierce rivals Real Madrid, will initially receive 3.2 million euros from Roma.

      The Serie A club will then pay a further 400,000 euros if they qualify for the Champions League.

      Giuly, who arrived in Italy on Monday to discuss the transfer, expressed his delight at finalising the move.

      "I am happy and my first day here left a very good impression on me," he said.

      "I would like to win the Champions League and the Italian league title, and that's why I chose Roma.

      Giuly, who plays as a second striker or a wide midfielder, said he would have no problem adapting to any role with his new club.

      "I prefer to play on the right but I would be happy to play on either wing," he said.

      Giuly came through the Lyon set-up as a teenager before moving to French first division rivals Monaco in 1998.

      He left Monaco to join Barcelona following the French club's defeat to FC Porto in the 2004 Champions League final.

      Giuly eventually won a Champions League winners medal two years later when the Spanish giants won the 2006 final against Arsenal.

      He was overlooked for the French squad which reached last year's World Cup final in Germany, which they lost to Italy after a penalty shoot-out.

      Roma finished second in Serie A last season and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.