Inter's Burdisso joins Roma on loan

Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso joined Roma on a season-long loan yesterday but Patrick Vieira looks poised to stay at the San Siro despite being offered the chance to leave.

Roma, struggling for cash after another takeover bid fell through, announced in a statement that Argentina's Burdisso had signed on loan until next June.

The versatile former Boca Juniors defender, often a bit-part player in his six years with the Italian champions, could make his Roma debut in today's Serie A opener at Genoa.

However Inter coach Jose Mourinho, keen to further trim his large squad, is set to keep midfielder Vieira after the Frenchman turned down the opportunity to move despite barely figuring last term.

"Vieira has amazed me. Despite me being clear with him, he has never lost heart," Mourinho told reporters.

"He asked for the chance to train and show his worth and he hasn't missed a minute's work."