Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro will return to Juventus from Real Madrid on July 1 despite widespread supporter anger over the move.

The Serie A club, which replaced coach Claudio Ranieri with Ciro Ferrara on Monday, said in a statement yesterday that the 35-year-old defender, soon out of contract at Real, had signed a one-year deal.

Juve fans were upset by Cannavaro leaving for Real in 2006 when it was demoted for match-fixing, while other top players such as Alessandro Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon stuck with the club.

A small group of fans have protested against Cannavaro's return after club bosses admitted they were in talks with the 2006 European and World Player of the Year.

"I am sure I will be able to convince even the most sceptical fans thanks to my hard work, professionalism and passion with which I will approach this new adventure," the World Cup winner said.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily May 20, 2009)