Serbian forward Ljajic joins Fiorentina

Partizan Belgrade forward Adem Ljajic has joined Fiorentina and will sign a four-and-a-half year contract with the Italian club pending a medical, the Serbian champions said on their website (www.partizan.rs).

Ljajic was wanted by Manchester United last year but his move to Old Trafford fell through after the English champions said last month they were unable to obtain a work permit for the 18-year-old who has yet to make an international appearance.

"Partizan president Dragan Djuric and general secretary Darko Grubor negotiated the deal in Florence and Ljajic will sign for Fiorentina as soon as he passes Thursday's medical," the Serbian champions said.

"We wish him all the best after he came through the ranks at Partizan, where he scored 13 goals in 70 first team matches."

Ljajic has been a regular for Serbia's under-19 team and has made two appearances for the under-21 side in qualifiers for next year's European Championship in Denmark.

Instead of joining compatriots Nemanja Vidic and Zoran Tosic at United, Ljajic will link up with Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic, his former Partizan team mate.

BELGRADE, Reuters