Former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has joined Sampdoria.

The Italian spent last season on loan at the Emirates Stadium from Palermo and was expected to challenge Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski for a first-team spot.

But Viviano failed to make a single first-team appearance for the club and was not kept on for the new campaign.

Instead he returned to Italy, but is now on the move again, this time permanently, having been sold to Sampdoria.

"On the day of the 68th birthday of Sampdoria, President Massimo Ferrero gifts Sinisa Mihajlovic and all the Blucerchiati fans official confirmation of the signing of Emiliano Viviano," the club said in a statement on their official website.

"The goalkeeper, who arrives from Palermo and has chosen the number two shirt, will be presented to the media tomorrow."