TORRE ALFINA, Italy, 30 June 2003 — Serie A side Perugia have paraded the most unorthodox signing of Italy’s closed season by presenting Al-Saadi Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, to the press.

Journalists, club officials and TV crews crowded into the courtyard of the 13th century castle in the village of Torre Alfina in Umbria on Sunday to watch Qaddafi pose with the Perugia shirt that he will wear next season, having signed a two-year contract with the club.

While Perugia’s president Luciano Gaucci greeted his new player, a specially invited group of fans chanted and unfurled a banner that read “Welcome Saadi”.

Qaddafi’s passion for football is well known. As player/owner of Libyan first division side Al-Ittihad the striker scored 25 goals in the last two seasons, and as president of the Libyan football federation he heads Libya’s bid for the 2010 World Cup.

Nonetheless, at the age of 28 the move to one of Europe’s most competitive leagues seemed unlikely for the striker, especially a move to Perugia — a club that has made a name for itself as a springboard for young talent.

Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata began his Serie A career at Perugia. Last season’s star player, striker Fabrizio Miccoli, earned a call up for the Azzurri after a series of impressive performances.

Cynicism surrounding the move grew after ex-Libyan national team coach Franco Scoglio made disparaging remarks about Qaddafi’s skills as a footballer.

“When I was coach of Libya I called him up a few times but I’d prefer to say nothing about his qualities as a player,” Scoglio told reporters earlier this month.

Gaucci, however, denied that Qaddafi’s arrival at Perugia was simply a publicity stunt.

“We don’t have any need of publicity. This is just another gamble by us. I’m staking my reputation on it,” he told reporters on Sunday.

“The player is ready and willing. He wants to be here. If he starts or stays on the bench it’s all the same to him — that’s one of his great qualities.”

Qaddafi, meanwhile, admitted playing in Serie A would present a tough challenge.

“It certainly won’t be easy. I’ve got my work cut out for me,” he said.

“I know that Perugia is the only Serie A side that can boast players from every continent. That tells you something about their ability to identify and develop talent.”

Asked what Colonel Qaddafi thought of his son’s latest career move, Qaddafi replied: “He’s fine about it.”