Sporting Lisbon signs free-agent midfielder Alberto Aquilani

Well-traveled Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani has found a new home in Portugal, as Sporting Lisbon has announced the signing of the free agent.

The move was announced today by Sporting's official Twitter account, with details of the move not disclosed.

A much-hyped player while a member of Roma's youth system, Aquilani made his senior debut with Fabio Capello's Giallorossi in 2002, making 102 appearances for the club prior to a move to Liverpool in 2009.

Despite being a big part of then-Liverpool gaffer Rafa Benitez's plans, the Italian international failed to find consistent minutes at Anfield, and was loaned first to Juventus in 2010 then AC Milan in 2012 following only 18 appearances with the Merseyside club.

Sporting signs Aquilani on the back of a failed move for Schalke's Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose transfer fell-through due to an issue with the Ghanaian international's image rights.