At Long Last...Capitano Appiah To Play In Italy

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has ended his long wait for a club by signing for Italy's Bologna. The Italian club have announced the midfielder's capture. Appiah, who has been without a club for two years joins the Serie A side after ending his contract with Fenerbahce. Appiah recovered from the complications of the surgery which led to his falling out with Fenerbahce. The Serie A side will unveil their latest signing on Monday after a deal was reached Sunday evening. Meanwhile, Stephen Appiah has heaped praise on Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac and Black Stars players for their support during his trying times, moments after clinching a deal with Bologna. The Ghana captain also thanked the Ghana FA board and fans for their unflinching backing in the face of criticism. The Serbian manager and his players insisted in Appiah playing for the Black Stars even though he was without a club for over one year which was criticised by a section of the press. Appiah says he is grateful to those who supported him during the difficult times in his career. "I will like to thank the GFA, Black Stars Management team and players who have stood by me through thick and thin," Appiah said on his personal website www.stepapp.com. "I will also like to thank every single one of you who have prayed for me, wished me well and supported me through out these trying times. "I couldn't have made it without your support and prayers. I am eternally grateful to you all and you will see the real Appiah back to his best soon." Appiah is confident he will help him new club Bologna in their fight for a good finish in the Serie A. "It is a good day for me and I am extremely happy that Bologna have shown faith in me and signed me," he said. "It is a new chapter in my life and I am looking forward to joining the team and helping Bologna's dreams come true. "I am part of the Bologna family now and their dream is my dream too. "I will like to say a very big thank you to everyone at Bologna who has been involved in this. "I am ready for the challenge and looking forward to pulling on my favourite number 4 jersey for the 'Rossoblu'." Appiah, who turns 29 later in December has remained a key personnel in the Ghana team after captaining the Black Stars to qualify for the Nations Cup to be hosted by Angola and World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Bologna will be Appiah's fifth Italian club since moving from Accra in 1997. He made his debut for Udinese in the 1997-98 season before moving to Parma, Brescia and Juventus, where he won the Scudetto.