Ché Adams proved his ambition by joining Torino after the end of his contract with Southampton, becoming the second Scot to play for the Granata after Dennis Law, writes Stephen Kasiewicz.
Torino’s capture of Scottish international Che Adams marked the latest of a small but growing trend of transfers from England to Italy this summer.
While Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United), Caleb Okoli (Leicester City), Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea (Aston Villa), and Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest) followed the money trail to the English Premier League, a select few have opted to take the reverse journey.
Attacker Adams rejected a new contract offer from promoted top-flight Premier League club Southampton and the opportunity to sign for Wolverhampton Wanderers before agreeing to a three-year deal with Toro.
It was not the most obvious move for the 28-year-old, yet he joins Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa to Juventus) and Ben Godfrey (Everton to Atalanta) in leaving England for Serie A.
The former Sheffield United and Birmingham City forward could have earned more money by staying in his comfort zone in a familiar location.
However, free agent Adams left cash on the table and signed for the Granata, embracing the challenge of a new league, country, and culture.
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Adams struck 16 times in the English Championship last term as Southampton sealed a return to the big time by defeating Leeds United in the lucrative second-tier play-off final at Wembley in May.
He endured an extremely underwhelming Euro 2024 with just two efforts on goal in three group games as Scotland exited the tournament early on.
None of the Scottish squad excelled as Steve Clarke’s side limped out of the competition, with Adams starting in the 5-1 thrashing against Germany, the stalemate with Switzerland, and the late defeat to Hungary.
The Leicester-born forward will be keen to erase all lingering memories of a substandard European championship as he starts a new chapter in Italy.
Torino coach Paolo Vanoli could pair Adams with freshly appointed club captain Duvan Zapata up front.
The Colombian established himself at one of Italy’s most historically successful clubs by netting 12 times following a switch from Atalanta last September.
Despite finishing in ninth position the Granata only scored 36 league goals – the fourth worst in Serie A with only Empoli (29), Salernitana (32), Lecce (32) below them – with Zapata accounting for a third of the total.
The acquisition of Scottish international Adams should ease the burden on the veteran ex-Sampdoria, Udinese, and Napoli frontman, who enjoyed a career renaissance last season.
Adams becomes just the second Scot to join the seven-time champions of Italy after the great Denis Law.
Law lasted just a single season in Italy after he arrived from Manchester City in the summer of 1961.
The Aberdeen-born forward was voted the top foreign player in Serie A after scoring 10 goals in 27 games. Yet he could not adapt to Toro’s intense training methods and struggled in an era of defensive catenaccio tactics in the Italian top flight. He also emerged unscathed after a car crash with team-mate Joe Baker in an eventful but ultimately unfulfilling spell in Piedmont.
Law, who is still highly regarded in Turin, went on to win the Ballon d’Or in 1964 and the European Cup (now Champions League) while at Manchester United.
Adams will not face any of the same obstacles encountered by the legendary Law as the ninth Scot to seal a move to Italy’s elite division.
Joe Jordan (Milan and Hellas Verona), Graeme Souness (Sampdoria), Liam Henderson (Hellas Verona and Empoli), Aaron Hickey (Bologna), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Josh Doig (Hellas Verona and Sassuolo) and Jack Hendry (Cremonese) have all featured in Italy’s top league.
Adams is expected to make his own small piece of history when Torino head to San Siro to take on Milan in the season opener on August 17.
It is the exception rather than the rule for any player to turn down the monetary rewards of English football to play in Italy, but Adams has already shown adventure and ambition in his latest career choice.
@SKasiewicz
Delightful! A “Scottish ” player named after a communist murderer.