Chennai, Aug 31 (IANS): Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Chennaiyin FC on Sunday signed Italian defender Alessandro Potenza for the second season of the tournament.

"Chennaiyin FC is delighted to announce the signing of Italian defender Alessandro Potenza," the club said in a release.

The 31-year-old joined Chennaiyin after the expiry of his contract at Italian third tier outfit Foggia Calcio.

Potenza is a product of the Inter Milan youth system and has represented Italy at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels, winning the 2003 UEFA Under-19 Championship and 2004 UEFA Under-21 Championship.

While at Inter Milan, he had loan stints at Ancona, Parma, Chievo and Spanish La Liga's Real Mallorca.

Paotenza then made a permanent switch to Fiorentina in 2006 and spent two seasons there before joining Genoa. However after just half a season there, he moved to Catania and spent four and a half campaigns there.

In 2013, Potenza joined Serie B outfit Modena before having a one-year stint at Lega Pro club Foggia Calcio.

Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi exuded confidence that Potenza would be the perfect candidate to fill the slot of an additional defender that the club was looking at.

"Since we were looking for one more defender, he was the perfect candidate to fill that slot. Potenza has immense experience so he will have a big influence in our team both on and off the pitch," he said.

Potenza said he was looking forward to turn out in the colours of Chennaiyin FC.

"It will be a big change in environment for me but I am really looking forward to the experience of playing in front of big crowds in India especially Chennai," he said.

Potenza has already joined Chennaiyin FC's pre-season training camp base in Italy's Perugia.