Atalanta becomes 4th Serie A club to own stadium

Rome Aug 9 (IANS) Italian top division football club Atalanta said they have signed a contract with the town of Bergamo to buy the Atleti Azzurri d Italia Stadium for 8.6 million euros ($10.09 million).

A plan will be presented in six months to redevelop the stadium the Serie A club said in a statement reports Efe news agency.

Atalanta President Antonio Percassi said the stadium s acquisition was an important step for the future of his club.

The Italian club ended last season in 4th place and secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League their first appearance in European competition in 26 years.

Atalanta becomes the fourth Serie A club to own a stadium following Juventus owner of Allianz Stadium since 2011; Sassuolo which bought Mapei Stadium in 2013; and Udinese which acquired Dacia Arena in 2016.

Roma and Fiorentina have unveiled plans to build stadiums with construction to begin in late 2017 and 2019 respectively.

--IANS
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