Dubai: Walter Zenga has every confidence that new signing Luca Toni can settle in quickly at Al Nasr to become one of the Etisalat Pro League's finest acquisitions.
But the Italian boss has also confirmed that, with this deal, the door is now shut on unsold fans' favourite Esmail Bangoura.
Toni, 34, who was part of the Italian 2006 World Cup-winning side and a stalwart for Fiorentina, Bayern Munich and Juventus, arrived in Dubai last night and will attend today's Etisalat Cup match at home to Bani Yas.
But Bolton target Bangoura, 27, who is currently on duty with Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations, has subsequently been ruled surplus to requirement with Toni's registration. Rodrigo Vergilio ‘Carica' was brought in as cover for Bangoura and was due to make way again this month, but he has instead been replaced by Toni.
Zenga said: "We've brought one huge player, one of the most important players that have ever played in this country. Toni is the big name on top of all the names.
"You don't make a change to get minus points. We want this team to be competitive and Toni can bring his experience and knowledge of football.
"Everything is on his side to settle in quickly and understand the philosophy and mentality — the staff is Italian, Mark Bresciano knows him, I know him.
Making improvements
"Toni's age is outside my mind. If someone is good enough, they are good whether they are 18 or 36. I don't care about age, I think about the team. Every change we make is to improve our team."
Asked if Bangoura still had a future at the club, Zenga snapped: "No. I have Amara Diane, Leo Lima, Mark Bresciano and now Luca Toni — four players [the limit for foreign players]. Don't ask me anything again about the players that are not in my squad."
