Giuseppe Rossi may have to wait until the winter transfer window opens before being able to make his Genoa debut because of a bureaucratic situation.
The Italian forward has completed a medical, seven and a half months after tearing his knee ligaments while a Celta Vigo player, and he says he is ready to pick up training again.
However, since Celta did not officialise the end of his engagement with them until July, the 30-year-old may have to wait until the transfer window opens before being permitted to play for another club.
"In football, bureaucracy dictates everything, but it's not a problem -- we are presenting Rossi today as one of our players, even if there are a few issues in interpreting his signing," said Genoa's general manager Giorgio Perinetti at a news conference in Genoa on Tuesday.
"The Spanish federation and Celta Vigo, given that he was only released in July, say that he can only sign a contract from Jan. 3. The paperwork is ready and we're just waiting to find out when he can sign on."
Rossi will not, therefore, be able to make his debut against Atalanta this weekend, and it is unclear whether he will be able to face his former club Fiorentina a week later either. He may also miss Il Grifone's games against Benevento and Torino if he is not able to sign on officially until the clash with Sassuolo on Jan. 6.
Nevertheless, the New Jersey native says he is fit and ready whenever he is able to pull on his No. 49 shirt.
"I'm feeling great," he said. "It's been seven and a half months since the operation and I'm training well and, physically, I'm in shape. All I'm lacking is the rhythm of playing in a team and I hope I can start training with the team from tomorrow.
"I'm delighted to be at Genoa. Genoa are a big club with great ambitions, just like me."
When he is able to return to action, he also hopes to prove he is still good enough to represent Italy.
"Of course, I always dream of that," he said. "It's painful not to have qualified for the World Cup, but we will get through this difficult moment."