July 2 2005

Crystal Palace

Nicola Ventola has left Crystal Palace and returned to Italy for Serie B side Atalanta.

The 27-year-old arrived from Inter Milan on season loan with Gonzalo Sorondo last August.

But he was sidelined for most of the season with a knee injury and broken ankle, restricting him to just three sub appearances.

He came off the bench to give Palace a 2-1 lead in their final home game of last season against relegation rivals Southampton, but Palace threw the lead away in the last minute.

And with Palace relegated to the Championship, Ventola decided on a move back to his homeland and he penned a two-year contract with Atalanta.