Keeper pens new Notts deal

Published Jul. 23, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

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Former Bolton Wanderers full-back Marcos Alonso says he is delighted to have joined Serie A side Fiorentina.

The 22-year old impressed during Bolton's Championship campaign last season, but he turned down a new contract offer this summer, opting instead for a switch to the Italian giants.

Fiorentina were believed to have been chasing Alonso's signature in the January transfer window, and he revealed his joy at putting pen to paper on a four-year deal despite a number of other offers.

"I am very happy to be at Fiorentina and I hope to help the team to fight for the first positions," he said as he was presented to the media.

"Here at Fiorentina there are great players with whom I can train and learn, like Mario Gomez, Guiseppe Rossi and Massimo Ambrosini - there is a big difference compared to Bolton.

"I had received several offers from England and from Spain, but I've chosen Fiorentina for the confidence they showed in me and for the type of (Vincenzo) Montella's game."

Alonso also admitted that he is focused on claiming a first-team place, although he believes he can learn from current left-back and Fiorentina captain Manuel Pasqual.

"Pasqual? He is a player with many years of experience who can help me a lot, but I hope to play as a regular and I'm not here to be the reserve of anyone," the Spaniard added.

The 19-year-old academy product was thrown in the deep end last season and put in two man-of-the-match performances during his seven-game run in the first team.

"It feels great, it's been going on for quite a while and I'm really glad that it's finally done," he told Magpies Player.

"The main thing was the chance to play - I think I've got a good chance this year of playing some games.

"Bart (Bialkowski) is here and he's a good goalkeeper to learn from and Pilks (Kevin Pilkington) is a great coach."

"It's a big club and I've been here a few years now and I've loved every minute of it."