KOVACEVIC COMPLETES SOCIEDAD SWITCH

Continuous talks between Kovacevic's representatives and the Lazio hierarchy have eventually borne fruit as the player has been allowed to return to La Liga and help the struggling Sociedad side out of the relegation zone.

Sociedad have spent big during the Christmas transfer window and the other major signing, Sander Westerveld helped his team to a 6-0 win in the final game before the winter break.

Having failed to settle on a price, Sociedad have agreed to pay Lazio 1,100 million pesetas (£3.5 million) for 50 percent of the player's rights.  Kovacevic will be officially unveiled as one of John Toshack's men on Sunday following his first training session with his new team-mates.

Speaking about the transfer, Sociedad president Jose Luis Astiazaran said: "We have reached an agreement which shows the will of Real Sociedad to get a player who we like.

"He is without doubt a great bet.  Kovacevic is a player who knows Real Sociedad, that knows what we want and that is very important for me.  A month ago it seemed impossible that Real Sociedad could buy a player like Kovacevic."

Before joining Juventus, Kovacevic was the 1999 Pichichi in Spain but having moved to Italy found himself used more often than not as a substitute.