EA7 Milano look set to sign Lithuanian forward Linas Kleiza within the next couple of days and have already re-signed Italian international Nicolo Melli to an additional one-year deal.
Last season’s surprise package in the Euroleague look set to snap up one of European basketball hottest properties to a two-year deal, according to sources as they look to build on their successful campaign last season, which included a domestic title as they ended the seven year reign of recently bankrupt Montepaschi Siena.
Kleiza, who won’t be playing for Lithuania this summer at the FIBA World Cup averaged 10 points for Fenerbahce last season as he helped the side lift the Turkish domestic crown in his first season back in Europe following his brief experience in the NBA.
Before returning to the Euroleague, Kleiza played for Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors with a stint at Olympiacos in-between. Kleiza led the Greek side to the 2010 Euroleague Final Four in Paris, where they lost out to Barcelona in the final. The Lithuanian claimed the Alphonso Ford Scoring title in that season as well.
Upon joining Fenerbahce last season, Kleiza helped Lithuania scoop the runners-up prize at last summer’s Eurobasket in Slovenia.
Nicolo Melli has signed a one-year extension with Milano meaning that he will play in his fourth season with the newly crowned Italian champions after joining them from Scavolini Pesaro in 2011.
It was a priority to extend Melli’s current deal after his sublime performances in the Serie A Finals, where he grabbed 11 points and 13 rebounds to hand them the domestic title.
