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It's finally official: Gabriel has joined Napoli on loan from AC Milan, as announced by the rossoneri this morning:
AC Milan announces that Gabriel has joined Napoli on loan.
That's the whole of the announcement. Thanks for that big, in-depth statement of the deal, AC Milan official website!
The loan is for one year, and despite Napoli's efforts to get a purchase clause into the loan, there is none in the final agreement. That means that, unless Napoli work out a separate purchase with Milan later in the season, Gabriel will be moving back to the San Siro at the end of the season.
The 22 year old Brazilian is already in Dimaro training with his new team. He's expected to be the main backup to Pepe Reina in goal with Luigi Sepe leaving for a loan of his own with Fiorentina, and depending on how Reina's health and form go, could play even more than "backup goalkeeper" would normally suggest.
Gabriel Ferreira was on Napoli's radar mostly thanks to new sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, who brought the goalkeeper into his side at Carpi last year in Serie B. He had a fantastic season, helping lead the second-division side to a top-of-the-table winning finish with a nine point cushion and the league's best defense.