Zebre sign Giovanbattista Venditti from Newcastle Falcons

Giovanbattista Venditti is ending a frustrating spell with the Newcastle Falcons to return home to Italy to play for Zebre.

The Italy winger played only nine times for the Aviva Premiership side last season and the Falcons have signed Fiji speedster Vereniki Goneva to add to competition for playing time out wide in 2016-17.

Venditti was dropped from Italy's squad for the Six Nations earlier this year and he was looking for a move to try and force his way into new coach Conor O'Shea's plans. He was recently named in their party to tour the Americas.

"We have enjoyed working with Giamba (Venditti) and wish him and his family well for their return to Italy," said Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards.

"His relative lack of first-team opportunities during his time with us had started to affect his place in the Italian national side, and with that in mind this opportunity has come around at a good time.

"We are well catered for on the wings with the talent we have in our squad, but everybody at the club thanks Giamba for the work he has put in at Newcastle."