Striker swap deal between Milan topclubs completed

MILAN, Italy   ●  Striker Antonio Cassano has completed his switch from AC Milan to Inter Milan in a deal which sends former Sampdoria teammate Giampaolo Pazzini the other way.

Both clubs announced the news on their websites Wednesday, with Inter adding that Cassano has signed a two-year contract.

Cassano, who will wear his usual No. 99 jersey at Inter, says “finally, after an eternity, I have arrived at the club I support.”

The 30-year-old Cassano had filed a transfer request following Milan’s sale of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain.

Pazzini scored 19 goals in 1 1/2 seasons with Inter but was not in coach Andrea Stramaccioni’s first-team plans.

Milan has also reportedly paid city rival Inter 7 million ($8.7 million).

●  FC Brugge striker Joseph Akpala is moving to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, pending a medical checkup.

The Belgian club announced Wednesday that both teams reached an agreement on the transfer after Werder Bremen and the Nigerian striker clinched a deal on personal terms.

Akpala, who turns 26 on Friday, scored 44 goals in four seasons for FC Brugge.

● Corsican club Ajaccio has confirmed it will sign former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu from Cesena.

On Wednesday Mutu rescinded his contract with Cesena – which was relegated to Serie B last season – and Ajaccio announced the deal the same day.

Mutu wrote on his twitter account “Ajaccio I’m coming!! Monday I’ll be in Corsica!!!”

Ligue 1 minnow Ajaccio says Mutu will have a medical and sign a two-year contract on Tuesday before making his debut at home to Evian the following Saturday.

Mutu’s previous clubs include Inter Milan, Chelsea, Juventus and Fiorentina.

In 2004, Mutu was sacked by Chelsea and banned for seven months after testing positive for cocaine. He was ordered to pay Chelsea $24 million in compensation.

Mutu was later banned for six months after failing a doping test in 2010, while at Fiorentina.