Jack Harrison has swapped one relegation battle for another after leaving Leeds to join Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old could become only the second English player to make his debut for La Viola this weekend against fellow strugglers Cagliari.
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Harrison, who spent the previous two seasons on loan at Everton, has made just one Premier League start for Leeds United this season.
The winger made 13 appearances for Daniel Farke’s side in all competitions, ten of them as a substitute, without scoring a goal.
However, Fiorentina will be hoping that he will get off to a flying start in Italy, as the club is outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Paolo Vanoli’s side secured a place in the Conference League after finishing sixth last year, but have won just three of 21 Serie A games this season.
Jack Harrison can break a record in the first Fiorentina game
Harrison could become the first Englishman to score in Fiorentina’s 100-year history after following in the footsteps of Micah Richards.
The latter recorded one assist without a goal while on loan from Manchester City in the 2014/15 season.
Former England Under-21 player Tariq Lamptey, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury shortly after arriving at Fiorentina in September, also switched international allegiances to play for Ghana.
Former Liverpool youth player Bobby Duncan scored four goals in 14 games for La Viola’s reserves but never played for the first team.
Harrison’s move to Stadio Artemio Franchi gives him ample opportunity to make history as he has never failed to score at least one goal in an entire season during his senior career.
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Why Fiorentina for Harrison?
Harrison has now left Leeds, two places above the Premier League relegation zone, to focus on a more pressing relegation battle in Serie A.
European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.com: “It’s not that [ideal circumstances to join Fiorentina]but there is probably a bit of waiting on both sides.
“I always really liked Harrison as a player. Obviously Leeds and him fell out of love a little bit. But they had some great moments if you think back to the Brentford game and the promotion at the end of that season.”
“He’s someone who is culturally adaptable, he’s also come through in US soccer, so I think that’s something important too.
“I think if we look at the right side and cut into his left side, that’s a position where they could use a little reinforcement. And I can see him working really well with Dodô because he likes to make those lung-busting runs out there.”
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“If Harrison cuts on the right side into the left, that will create even more space for Dodô,” Brasell continued to SPORT. “So I could see them being a really, really good match.
“I think the most important thing for them is just to improve the squad, really, in this window. If you look at the squad they have, it’s impossible that they should finish anywhere near the bottom of the table.
“It’s been a bit chaotic so far this season. It’s a club and a team that doesn’t expect to end up at the bottom; it’s a team that has been successful in recent years, albeit in the Conference League in Europe.”
“You worry about them a bit because you think this is not a team prepared for a relegation battle.
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“Some of them expect to fight for their lives down there and Fiorentina definitely didn’t do that.
“That’s another advantage for Jack Harrison because he’s already done that with Leeds. I think there are a few things that recommend him.”
“For him, he’s a bit stuck at Leeds so it’s something different and Fiorentina are clearly ambitious.
“Fiorentina, if they can avoid the worst this season, this is a club moving forward. If you’re Harrison, I can see there’s a lot to recommend it in the short term and long term.”
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Fiorentina have now gone four Serie A games without defeat for the first time this season, with Edin Dzeko’s move to Schalke opening the door for Harrison to join immediately.
“Yes, I’m excited,” Harrison told La Viola’s website after arriving at the club.
“I’ve met a few of the guys but it’s been busy with the medical and everything. It’s a beautiful place here and I’m excited to get started.”
Message to the fans? “Forza Viola!
“I’ll work on my Italian. I’m looking forward to getting to know the culture and everything about the club and I’ll give everything for this club and do everything I can.”
“Hopefully we can get back to winning ways and work our way up the table.”