Amauri available for Italy

Amauri has been granted Italian citizenship and is now available to be called up to the national team.

Brazilian-born striker delighted to get Italian citizenship

Juventus striker Amauri has been granted Italian citizenship and is now available to be called up to the national team. The 29-year-old Brazil-born forward has been waiting three years to push through his application and has finally been declared eligible for the Azzurri. Amauri has targeted a place in the Italy squad for the World Cup this summer, although it remains to be seen if manager Marcello Lippi will offer him a call-up. Amauri said: "I have been waiting for this day for a long time. "The wait has been a long one, but after many years I am Italian and very proud too. Today I am very emotional." When asked about the prospect of representing Italy in South Africa, he added: "We'll see about that. "Now I am truly Italian and if there were the opportunity to play for Italy, I would be the happiest man in the world."