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Ex-Manchester United forward Federico Macheda joins Panathinaikos

Federico Macheda has joined Panathinaikos Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Greek side Panathinaikos have confirmed the signing of former Manchester United forward Federico Macheda on a three-year deal.

Macheda, 27, burst onto the scene with a last-gasp winner on his United debut against Aston Villa in the 2008-09 campaign, which would help the club go level with Liverpool on 18 Premier League titles. However, at the age of 17, that proved to be the highlight as his career took a downward spiral.

Following loan spells at Sampdoria, Queens Park Rangers, Stuttgart, Doncaster and Birmingham, he joined Cardiff in 2014 before again being loaned to Nottingham Forest.

In 2017, he signed an 18-month contract Italian Serie B side Novara and stayed until the summer when his deal expired.

Panathinaikos finished a lowly 11th in last season's Greek Super League and are not involved in any European football in this campaign.