Watson Farley & Williams has bulked up its Milan office with the hire of Hogan Lovells Italian banking head Francesco Curreli.

Curreli has joined Watson Farley as a partner in its international project & structured finance group from the Milan arm of Hogan Lovells.

Prior to joining Hogan Lovells as a partner in 2005, Curreli spent time at Italian heavyweight Bonelli Erede Pappalardo and Allen & Overy.

Hogan Lovells senior associate Francesco Dialti has also joined Curreli in the move.

Watson Farley managing partner Michael Greville said: "Francesco has developed a well-regarded, diverse finance practice which is a perfect fit with our acquisition finance, project finance and shipping finance practices.

"This recruitment further strengthens our already established reputation in Italy as a top quality practice in the sectors in which we operate; Francesco will drive the practice to continue its development in the Italian market."

Curreli's departure will leave four partners in Hogan Lovells' banking and finance practice in Italy.

The news follows Watson Farley's hire of a team of transportation finance lawyers from Reed Smith last month for the firm's City practice.