Fiorentina signs Alessandro Diamanti from Guangzhou Evergrande

Much to the delight of manager Vincenzo Montella, Fiorentina has added some attacking flair in their quest to surge up the Serie A table and reach a European position by season's end.

The club confirmed the loan signing of mercurial midfielder Alessandro Diamanti on Saturday, with the Italian returning to his homeland after a brief spell at Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande.

(Courtesy: ACF Fiorentina)

Diamanti, 31, scored four goals in 24 matches with Guangzhou this season, and has previously spent time at Bologna, West Ham, Brescia and Livorno.

Well-traveled he may be, the unpredictable midfielder should help a Fiorentina side that has struggled to score goals this season, as his ability to create openings for his teammates will be a welcome addition to the squad - particularly for Mario Gomez.

It will be interesting to see how Montella integrates Diamanti into the squad, as the Italian is at his best when he plays centrally behind a striker, given the freedom to drift out to the left wing - where Fiorentina's most dangerous attacking threat, Juan Cuadrado, likes to operate.