Sampdoria with an option to sign permanently for €10 million. He was loaned out to the club once again in the summer of 2004, and at the end of the 2004–05 season, after almost helping the team qualify for the UEFA Champions League, he was signed permanently by Sampdoria for €1 million.
Sampdoria had an option to sign him permanently for €10 million. He was loaned back to the club in the summer of 2004 and, at the end of the 2004–05 season, after nearly helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League, he was signed permanently by Sampdoria for €1 million.