Russian star swaps Italian clubs

Footballer Alexey Miranchuk has headed to Torino from Atalanta

Russian international midfielder Alexey Miranchuk, who is one of his country's biggest current footballing exports, has moved from Italian club Atalanta to Serie A rivals Torino in a loan deal which could be made permanent. 

Turin-based Torino confirmed the deal for the 26-year-old on Thursday, saying they would have the option to buy the attacking midfield talent after his initial loan for the 2022/23 season.

Miranchuk had moved to Atalanta from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer of 2020 for a fee reported at around €15 million ($15.5 million), but failed to command a regular starting place at the Bergamo outfit managed by the charismatic Gian Piero Gasperini. 

The Russian star, who has made 41 appearances for his country, now heads west across Italy to join up with Ivan Juric's Torino team, who finished 10th in the Serie A standings last season.