Di Canio will bring a ‘different dimension to Charlton'.
The Italian joined the Addicks on a one-year contract yesterday after agreeing terms and passing a medical.
The much-travelled 35-year-old left West Ham this summer when his contract with the club expired, and has also played for Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, AC Milan and Lazio, among others.
Curbishley insists it is an excellent move for the south Londoners, saying: “He will add a different dimension to our play, and I am sure that his professionalism and presence will also help the younger players in the side.”
Di Canio was a popular figure at Upton Park, scoring 46 goals in 118 league appearances for the Hammers, but fell out of favour with manager Glenn Roeder. Although he was recalled to the side late in the season by caretaker manager Trevor Brooking, the club was relegated.
Di Canio joins new signings Matt Holland and Simon Royce in the squad for the opening game against Manchester City at home on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Marcel Desailly challenged Chelsea to repeat the success of their last Champions League campaign, as he pledged his future to the club after being swept along on the wave of optimism following Roman Abramovich’s takeover.
Desailly has given the side the perfect boost on the eve of their Champions League final qualifying round by signing a one-year extension to his contract until 2005.
With Chelsea also poised to sign Romanian international Adrian Mutu in a £15.8 million move from Parma, the Blues are very much on a high.
So much so that Desailly, 34, was persuaded to put back plans to retire next season, when his old contract was set to expire.
He revealed: “The new people running the club have shown that they are building for the long term, with the players being signed all under 30.
“This means that I will be able to finish my career in Europe at a big club, like Paolo Maldini at AC Milan.
“It shows the confidence which the club have in me. They consider me to be an important part of the squad.”
Desailly, who arrived in 1998, is determined to ensure that Chelsea translate their potential into reality, starting in this week’s Champions League final qualifying round tie.
The French international said: “We have the quality and the opportunity to do some great things. In the medium term, we will have results.
“Roman Abramovich has taken some intelligent decisions. He has put in place the means of making Chelsea one of the big clubs in Europe and, in one-and-a-half years, we’ll also have a new training ground.”
Barcelona defender Michael Reiziger has poured cold water on talk of a move to Manchester City, insisting he is happy at the Nou Camp and is looking forward to a successful spell with the club.
Negotiations were said to be taking place between Reiziger and City on Sunday, following the friendly clash with Barca which marked the opening of the new City of Manchester Stadium.
The Dutchman had been close to a loan move to Kevin Keegan’s side last January, but the deal collapsed as Reiziger would only agree to a permanent switch.
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