After five years in Serie A, Valon Behrami has decided to try his luck in the Premier League and has completed a move from Lazio to West Ham.

The Swiss international became a fixture in the Biancocelesti side, but relations between the former Verona man and the capital club turned sour.

Behrami demanded that Lazio let him go this summer and even threatened to use FIFA’s Article 17 to free himself from the Aquile.

After links with the Bundesliga faded, West Ham stepped in and have agreed a deal that sees Lazio receive £5m.

The 23-year-old been handed a five-year contract in East London and seemed happy with the fresh start.

“I am delighted to play for West Ham and to play in the Premier League,” he said. “It is a dream come true.

“After the European Championship I spoke to the directors and they told me that they were interested in me.

“It was important to talk to everyone and understand the plans for the future and that made me quickly decide to join West Ham.”

Ref From channel4.com

The Serie A 2008-2009 schedule are now released. The season will begin on August 31st and end on May 31st. There will be three midweek rounds slated for September 24, October 29, and January 28. The winter break will be from December 21-January 11. Serie A will also come to a halt three times for the National Team, who will be undergoing World Cup 2010 qualifying. Those dates are September 7, October 12, and March 29.

The Coppa Italia will begin on August 9th, with the second round being played August 17th. The third round is August 23rd, and the fourth round will begin the 2 legged ties (September 18 and October 2nd). The Round of 16 will be November 12, and December 3, 10, and 17. The Quarter-finals will be January 21 and February 4th, with the semi-finals March 4 and April 22. The Final will be Wednesday May 13, 2009, at a venue yet to be decided.
The Italian SuperCup between Roma and Inter will be played on Sunday, August 24. The Lega Calcio has temporarily named San Siro as the venue, but both clubs have expressed interest in playing the game abroad, and New York (The Italians call it New York, but it’s really New Jersey-Giants Stadium) is the most likely venue. The SuperCoppa was held at Giants Stadium back in 2005, Juventus beat Milan on penalties. I was there and it was a great experience, I would love for it to be held here again.

Ref From www.italy.theoffside.com