Gilardino moved from AC Milan to the Viola this summer and made an immediate impact, scoring in his team's 1-1 draw against Juventus in their Serie A opener.

"I'm certain he will score many goals," said Prandelli. "I have seen him smile again, be motivated and get his confidence back.

"When a player decides to give up a lot of money and leave one of the top clubs in the world to come to Florence, well, it means he has guts and hunger to succeed.

"The truth is that players who make these type of choices make us coaches really fortunate."

Gilardino, a World Cup winner two years ago with Italy, rarely played last season with Milan and that cost him his place in the Azzurri squad at Euro 2008.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi recalled the 26-year-old Gilardino to the squad and started him alongside Luca Toni in last weekend's 2-1 World Cup qualifying triumph over Cyprus.