ROME: Torino have signed AC Milan's Italy under-21 international Ignazio Abate (pic) under a shared-ownership deal, Italian news agency Ansa reported on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old midfielder is part of Italy's Olympic Games squad and will join up with his new teammates for the beginning of the season at the end of the month following the completion of the Olympic competition.

Torino beat off interest from Lecce and Palermo among others for Abate's signature.

Co-ownership deals are commonplace in Italy with players often owned jointly by a big club and a smaller club and left to develop at the smaller club until they become good enough to join the bigger one.

Abate is Torino's second major signing of the close season following the acquisition of Austria international Jurgen Saumel from Sturm Graz.
The 23-year-old signed a three-year deal and was officially unveiled on Wednesday. -- AFP