Italian champions Juventus on Tuesday announced the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Rolando Mandragora from Serie A rivals Genoa.

Mandragora, tipped as an Italy star of the future, has signed a five-year contract with Juventus but will remain on loan at second-division Pescara until the end of the season.

Juventus, who are seeking a fifth straight Serie A title, paid an initial six million euros ($6.5m) for Mandragora although the transfer fee could rise to 12 million euros ($13m) depending on his success with the Turin giants.

Mandragora has drawn comparisons to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, who came through the Pescara academy before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.

Mandragora made a handful of appearances for Genoa in Serie A last season and has been capped six times by Italy's Under-21 side.