CLAUDIO PIZARRO
The signing of the Peruvian international in the summer of 2007 increases the number in the squad accustomed to playing as a central striker; important ahead of a campaign that will see Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou attend the African Cup of Nations in January and February.
The 28-year-old is a physically imposing player who moved from South America to play in Germany in 1999, first at Werder Bremen for two seasons where he scored 28 goals in 76 appearances.
His past six seasons have been spent at Bayern Munich where he three times won the league and cup double, in 2003, 2005 and 2006. Michael Ballack was a team-mate in all three seasons.
Before that in 2001, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup was won. Out-of-contract, Pizarro left the Bavarian club on a free transfer having found the net 101 times in 254 appearances.
He missed the start of this campaign's pre-season training due to involvement in the Copa America where his aerial strength was on display with two goals before Peru succumbed to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
