The 32-year-old switches Italy for Russia after his departure from the Serie A champions, and arrives in Saint Petersburg on a two-year deal

Former Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has joined Zenit on a free transfer, the Russian club have announced.

Marchisio ended a 25-year association with the Scudetto holders in August, having made a total of 389 appearances as a professional.

The 32-year-old was restricted to just 15 appearances in Serie A last term due to competition for places and injury problems.

Emre Can’s arrival in Turin gave every indication Marchisio was to fall even further down the pecking order this term, and the announcement of the Italy international’s mutual contract termination in August surprised few.

He now embarks on a new adventure in Russia, joining Zenit on a free transfer in a deal which has been seen as a real coup for Sergei Semak’s men, who are two points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League after six matches.

Click Here: United Kingdom Rugby Jerseys

He will wear the number 10 shirt for the club as they look to win their first league title since 2015, having slumped to a fifth-placed finish last season.

With the exception of a single season spent on loan at Empoli during the 2007-08 campaign, Marchisio spent his entire professional career with Juve, helping them to the Serie A title in seven consecutive campaigns, dating back from this year to 2011.

He is also a four-time winner of the Coppa Italia and a three-time victor in the Supercoppa Italia.

At international level, Marchisio has won 55 caps for Italy to date, between 2009 and 2017, and was a member of the national team that finished runner-up at Euro 2012 to Spain.

In addition, he was a member of the Azzurri squads that took part in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and was named in their team for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, though he was forced to return home due to injury.