Inter's Ranocchia joins Sampdoria on loan until end of season

Inter Milan defender and former captain Andrea Ranocchia has moved to Sampdoria on loan until the end of the season, the Genoa-based club confirmed on Thursday.

Ranocchia, who played for city rival Genoa before sealing a €12.5-million transfer to Inter in 2010, fell out of favour at San Siro after replacing Javier Zanetti as the Nerazzurri's skipper.

"I want to repay the faith of the coach, the club, and the fans on the pitch," the 27-year-old Italy international told Sampdoria's official website. "There's a fantastic group here and they definitely don't deserve to be where they are in the league table. I know lots of the guys and have played alongside some of them at club or international level. I hope to settle in quickly and do my part."

Sampdoria, having conceded the second-highest number of goals (36) in Serie A this season, is currently in 17th place in the league table. Ranocchia should bring experience to a porous backline.