Maybe we found a young keeper in Italy?

[Massive Attack]

Serie D is the 5th tier in Italy. It is pretty much the last chance a player has at a stab at a decent professional career in Italy. I think maybe 1 in 50 players in Serie A have Serie D experience. The stories of players like Toni or Carraciolo who have decent Serie A careers after spending some time in the lower leagues of Italy are rare.

That being said, there is nothing wrong with trying to make your dream come true while you are still young. And if Italy doesn't end up working out, there is no shame in coming back to Canada and trying to catch on with the MLS or the USL. Sandro Grande is a perfect example of this. He spent years toiling in the lower leagues in Italy. He came back to Canada, played well for Montreal, garnered national team caps, scored against Spain and is probably making a decent living in Scandanavia now. Even Andrea Lombardo is probably getting more playing time with TFC than he was getting in Italy. The USL and MLS have also shown to be decent stepping stones for Europe, plus we've seen a number of players for those two leagues perform admirably for Canada.

[bobovieri]

keeper

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by BigBird

No Massive he is not he is playing in Serie D he is in a youth system just like here as a OYSL under 17 lets say. Not a serie D I would just call youth system for Genoa. They play some 10 games all season plus cup games etc....

I think what Big Bird should have particularily stressed earlier is that this is youth club soccer, players don't sign contracts in Italy until the age of 18. Stillo is a 16 yr old, and if he gets noticed by a larger club like say Genoa then he can switch teams and sign with them.

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by bobovieri

There is a young goalie Anthony Posteraro who played at Minnesota State, and apparently in Cosenza serie D in Italy.

http://www.mnstate.edu/soccer/2002%20season/seasonpreview.htm

On another board he is reported to play at Algonquin College in Ottawa. Perhaps TFC should have a look at him next season.

DC United has apparently been scouting him...and he apparently tried out or played for the Edmonton Eskimos...

Weird, i just read the article you posted and it mentions that he's a defender?

[BigBird]

quote:Originally posted by sirio

c'mon guys....serie D is really almost amateur..in fact most players have a real job!except for some former serie A or C players that are really too old or have failed...Allivi Nazionali is a junior league, in serie D people are at least 20 years old,and mostly dropped out of professional teams youth systems.

Just for your information Serie d is exactly the opposite of your comments, First of all there are over 130 teams 9 division total 3500 players, each team must have a quota of players on the field in a game. This year the quota is 1 player born in 1987 2- players of 1988, and 1 player of 1990. These players must be on the field in a game at all times, they can be sub in by and equal age or younger not older.,...and only 3 sub are permitted in a game. This give players that are sent from let say Primavera, Berretti, Alievi Nazionali clubs like Milan Genoa Lazio playing time of their key players to develop with men and not the same age in which they are involved in if they remained. You mention as washed out serie A and B is a joke. To me what better time and a excellent choice to learn from and one that makes sense to me. Besides these A B C players you mention are earning most likely more then you some Players in Serie D are earning as much as 100k if not more after all the expenses are tallied.

I can see you point of others that may passes their opportunity to make the big leagues such as B or A or C for that matter, but again just to give some light, if the player was 28 and older if they never managed to get into the Serie A, b or C1, its a daytime job for I agree, but let me tell you they are earning over 40k Euro on a average plus food and accommodations, which could add up to lots of money invested in players of that caliber for a club he better be good or he is gone, as the clubs expenses are not compensated by the bigger clubs….They are typically the first to go in the new year of the season….

You mention the younger players, again let me give also some light. They are earning just under that but on a average around 30k – 40 k average, and after the other expenses they add up to over 75k for an investment. So taken a young player from clubs in Serie A or B or C is a positive thing for clubs that bring them in. they get renumerated from the big clubs $$ they get to use their player of talent. So where are you getting you info from. I’m curious to compare the average of lets say all of the MLS of players that are 19 and under that are in the MLS. I think they are well under paid a long shot in compare to Serie D. If I was them I move to Serie D. When I hear players taken taken The TTC to go to work and earning the same amount of money that a one get for pushing carts a Loblaw’s I wonder where you going with these comments of amateur, that poverty here it a good thing that he has parents.. So when the MLS wakes up, with focusing on younger players earning more, and insuring that they get more playing time on a consistence basis by setting rules accordingly for 4 players to be on the field in a game to me that’s forward,,,,, but rather they subsidize a player like Beckham, 250k and forget the young ones who I think are the future of soccer, does not make sense…. Now they want Zidane too…35.k If I was a youth player now I would not even consider MLS unless I was paid accordinly to the world market.

Why? No playing time guaranteed, No money in it, and no Future other then sticking it out and hope….

Call it what ever you want the best system for the youth is in Italy, they take care of their young players, and develop them accordingly. I am proud of them each and everyone of them, that play there . They are one of kind players that are not interested in the big picture to fast. But development first, pay their dues second, and respect to the Italian Federation of Calcio for given them that chance. That’s why it’s difficult to get there and only having 4 players there…tells you something. To further add I know they will and one day help Canada succeed and move forward and that all that counts

[BigBird]

quote:Originally posted by jpg75

I think what Big Bird should have particularily stressed earlier is that this is youth club soccer, players don't sign contracts in Italy until the age of 18. Stillo is a 16 yr old, and if he gets noticed by a larger club like say Genoa then he can switch teams and sign with them.

Nope that’s not what I meant. He is signed with Pro Belvedere and was on last year roster according to the web site...if he is the same player? he was recently sold to Genoa on July 30 of this year.

If he is sold then a contract is and must be on hand and it is most likely for TW0 years for the date of signing up to the age of 18.. What you are saying is not correct....

Let me give some rules

Say a player 17 or under of age goes from here to Italy and gets to play for a team..... Three things must happen if he is under age the age of 17, he must have a Residency in the city he plays for, (no exception) a residents card to shows he has it, an valid European passport (no exception). A Contract is signed by the player and the club.(no exception)

Typically a two year deal is a youth contract after what happens after his 18 birth year is a different. The club resigns him for another two years under their wing of the first team and remains only a few are signed this way, or out on loan with their support which happens in most cases. After the two years there is a renew or a release, if a release takes place then the following club that he chooses to play for has his rights till the age of 25 (no Exception) unless he signs year to year but very uncommon. In most cases the norm the player signs with the 25 year period, as any release and or transfer to another club or sold is mandatory regardless to keep proper paper trail. And if i am not mistaken the orginal team still get compensation and untitled for compensation should he get a big signing before the age 25 regardless what happens with them.

This player if him could not have played here in the Ontraio cup or league games. First of all he is already regiesterd to pro BEV last yr, that woould be for a mimium 2 years, now his trasfer to genoa as being sold as of July 30th.

This must be the wrong person I cannot see it being the same as mentined here.

[jpg75]

So this now 16 yr old kid (whoever he is) has been playing at what level the past 2 years? Serie D with adults? or youth level?

And he's now on the books at Genoa thanks to a transfer?

When i meant contract, i meant pro contract. I was under the impression Italy only allowed 18 yr olds to sign pro?

[Massive Attack]

Ah, I really should read a little bit slower, especially when it is in Italian.

BigBird is absolutely right, Robert Stillo has been transfered from Pro Belvedere to Genoa (a team that was recently promoted to Serie A). Because he is still young, he will be playing on one of Genoa's youth teams. The level he will be playing in is called 'Allievi Nazionali'. This is one step below the highest youth level in Italy, which is known as 'Primavera'. Currently Genoa's website lists the rosters for their 2006/2007 youth teams. I'll have to monitor their site to see if Robert Stillo is included when/if they update the rosters for the new season.

http://www.genoacfc.it/giovanili-rose.asp

jpg75, I believe he was only playing for Pro Belvedere's youth team last year. I can't definitively prove that though, because finding team tables from lower division Italian leagues is an effort in futility. The fact that the team he was just transfered from has their own website is a minor miracle.

[jpg75]

OK, so basically he has gone from a small clubs (AS Pro Belvedere) youth side to a larger clubs (Genoa) youth side!?

I was starting to feel really confused about all of this [)]

Edit: that's 2 goalies born in '91 playing on youth sides of elite European clubs. Adam Street at West Ham and Stillo at Genoa.

[sirio]

BigBird...BigBird..Thank you for your light..great,never would have lived without..Do you know where I get my informations!? Everyday from people, newspapers, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, and all the rest..In fact,here in Italy serie D is NOT CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL!!When I played in a.s. Ostiamare, the serie D team of my neighbourhood, 7 years ago, we all had regular jobs. The only exceptions are real serie D powerhouses, such as Turris,Isola Liri and Rieti. AND THAT IS FOR ALMOST EVERY TEAM!In fact, most of my former team mates, when they received offers from other team, it must have been for real money: 3000 euros a month at least,or they would have never leaved a job for a dream that can last a year..or two..and believe me..except for De Rossi..most of them have not made a living with it..But then again..you can still continue to talk about numbers..and all..and bla bla bla..rumors..Stillo at Genoa Primavera and then we can start talking about it!!

[BigBird]

quote:Originally posted by sirio

BigBird...BigBird..Thank you for your light..great,never would have lived without..Do you know where I get my informations!? Everyday from people, newspapers, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, and all the rest..In fact,here in Italy serie D is NOT CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL!!When I played in a.s. Ostiamare, the serie D team of my neighbourhood, 7 years ago, we all had regular jobs. The only exceptions are real serie D powerhouses, such as Turris,Isola Liri and Rieti. AND THAT IS FOR ALMOST EVERY TEAM!In fact, most of my former team mates, when they received offers from other team, it must have been for real money: 3000 euros a month at least,or they would have never leaved a job for a dream that can last a year..or two..and believe me..except for De Rossi..most of them have not made a living with it..But then again..you can still continue to talk about numbers..and all..and bla bla bla..rumors..Stillo at Genoa Primavera and then we can start talking about it!!

You must of played with Iannuzzi then back in the Monterotondo days

[cndsoccer]

quote:Originally posted by Massive Attack

Rocco Placentino was playing in C1, the same tier as 2B in Spain, but with less groups (2 instead of 4).

Just to be clear, Robert Stillo is on the youth team of a Serie D team.

i read somewhere that (Placentino)is having a tryout with TFC

[BigBird]

quote:Originally posted by cndsoccer

i read somewhere that (Placentino)is having a tryout with TFC

I posted this on previous topic here is what I wrote

Placentino may be on his way to Ternana Calcio. They are C1 Girone A. It seems that that has been some loans to Gualdo from Ternana lately, and it is speculation at this point and not confirmed that Placentino is on his way there. On loan.

I'll keep an eye in that area. I hope he's back I look forward to watching him again in Umbria

[hygu]

I like Rocco Placentino to return to North America to play. Soild young player with the Montreal Impact, in 2003 and then had a stint with Avellino Serie B.

[BigBird]

quote:Originally posted by hygu

I think Serge Djekakonvic is in the same situation returning to CIS soccer UBC CIS champions, and Posteraro playing at Algonquin OCAA champions. Be good for these young keepers to establish themselves, then in the future perhaps make it to the MLS with either TFC, DC United etc.

I like Rocco Placentino to return to North America to play. Soild young player with the Montreal Impact, in 2003 and then had a stint with Avellino Serie B.

I have seen him play in Italy and your absoultly right a excellent player, Sharp and a good goal scorer as well. He tends to get the Job done when ask to play and results show that in Italy. He will be missed if he does not sign there. But I think he will soon!

As far as this goalie Anthony Posteraro I dont not have a record on him from my sites, and never has played there in Serie D or in Italy unless he is not young as mentioned it could be Im not checking far enough in the past. Do we have a year of birht on this guy> that will be a big help if you want more specific info... let me know?

[BigBird]

as Noted Rocco Placentino is back in Italy this web site confirms his presence with Ternana Calcio.

http://www.sporterni.it/notizia.php?id=1623

I expect a Signing soon nice to see him back...

[Massive Attack]

quote:Originally posted by BigBird

as Noted Rocco Placentino is back in Italy this web site confirms his presence with Ternana Calcio.

http://www.sporterni.it/notizia.php?id=1623

I expect a Signing soon nice to see him back...

Thanks for the updates.

I was checking out Ternana's official site, and they seem to be low on midfielders. If that's the case, this should be a good move for Rocco. Ternana should be one of the teams with aspirations for promotion, considering the amount of time they've spent in Serie B recently.

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by BigBird

I have seen him play in Italy and your absoultly right a excellent player, Sharp and a good goal scorer as well. He tends to get the Job done when ask to play and results show that in Italy. He will be missed if he does not sign there. But I think he will soon!

As far as this goalie Anthony Posteraro I dont not have a record on him from my sites, and never has played there in Serie D or in Italy unless he is not young as mentioned it could be Im not checking far enough in the past. Do we have a year of birht on this guy> that will be a big help if you want more specific info... let me know?

Well, based on the Minnesota State article he was a freshman in 2002 so he was likely born in 1983 or 1984. And he played U16 in Italy, so he would have been there in 1999 or 2000.

[Paddy]

Just out of curiosity, have any of these “found” players ever joined the fold? Is there one Canadian player on the national team to join as a result of being discovered by someone on this board (I don’t mean to sound harsh)? It seems to me that if they wanted to play for Canada they would have made their intentions know. Issey Faran comes to mind. I may be wrong, but I bet he contacted the CSA, not the other way around. I never saw his name come up on this board once – though I may have missed it.

I would say at this point that any player unknown to the CSA probably wants to keep it that way (past/current situation considered). It’s not like they wouldn’t know where to phone if they were interested.

[Guest Dave]

Well, there was that teenager of Canadian-Maltese descent playing in the reserves of a CCC team that folks on this board "discovered" and brought to the attention of the CSA. I can't recall his name right now. At the time he was considered a good enough prospect that he had several starts with our U20s, but unfortunately he seemed to fall off the face of the earth later on. IIRC, somebody on this board discovered him by searching the player database of a soccer video game for Canadians. Quite possibly the only time in history that a National Team player was discovered in such a manner.... and at any rate definitely an improvement over the CSA's current scouting methods.

EDIT - I REMEMBER HIS NAME NOW... ELLIOT GODFREY.

[Ivan]

quote:Originally posted by Paddy

Just out of curiosity, have any of these “found” players ever joined the fold? Is there one Canadian player on the national team to join as a result of being discovered by someone on this board (I don’t mean to sound harsh)? It seems to me that if they wanted to play for Canada they would have made their intentions know. Issey Faran comes to mind. I may be wrong, but I bet he contacted the CSA, not the other way around. I never saw his name come up on this board once – though I may have missed it.

I would say at this point that any player unknown to the CSA probably wants to keep it that way (past/current situation considered). It’s not like they wouldn’t know where to phone if they were interested.

I don't mean to sound harsh either, but where are you going with this? Is your point to say there is no sense posting about these players because they are not going to play for Canada anyway? Maybe you are criticizing the Vees for not unearthing enough national team caliber players? Just curious to see if any have been unearthed by the Vees?

Again, not trying to sound harsh, just curious myself for no good reason, as to where you are coming from.

[Paddy]

quote:Originally posted by Ivan

I don't mean to sound harsh either, but where are you going with this? Is your point to say there is no sense posting about these players because they are not going to play for Canada anyway? Maybe you are criticizing the Vees for not unearthing enough national team caliber players? Just curious to see if any have been unearthed by the Vees?

Again, not trying to sound harsh, just curious myself for no good reason, as to where you are coming from.

I guess that over the last 8-9 years I have seen numerous mentions of players found that can play for Canada. Everyone gets really excited and then it turns to naught. An example of this is the infamous Joey Torchida (sp).

In the end I think that it underlines the past/current condition with the CSA and how players are looking elsewhere and have little faith in developing their careers, to any extent, in Canada. People can make up their own minds, but as I stated previously, I don’t think the majority of these players want to be found. Also, perhaps, they may just not be good enough and are trying to eke out some sort of professional career wherever they can.

No harm in finding these people, but it just seems to not go anywhere and comes off a little desperate (scouring unknown leagues and lower divisions of known leagues in the hope of finding national team players).

I really hope that getting at least 3 pro teams in Canada will help to keep more players around, but until the CSA cleans up its act even this may not help.

[Free kick]

quote:Originally posted by Paddy

I hear you completely. But it constitudes discussions and that's what a forum like this is all about. Besides, I think that its more like a fun exercise to many. Otherwise, given the long periods of inactivity and lack of news, we would have to shut down the forum.

But I do think that we need to draw the line somewhere and respect the privacy of those people who, like you said, dont want to be found. The majority, i suspect, do want to be found because it might put them on the radar of national teams whereas they wouldn't be and probably dont desrve to. And, being on the national team radar would be the biggest break of their careers. Therefore, the question might be are we doing the national teams a favour? or are we doing the kids a favour?.

The real tragedy is the fact that these kids are leaving Canada to go to these places. Yet we seldom ever talk about the kids of simlar ages who might bemuch more talented but is playing here in North america. IMO, at some point, the CSA wil have to start focusing on only players devloped here. with a few exceptions of course. Otherwise scouting and evaluating talent is impossible. As far as where do I draw the line? Well everyone will have a different opinion but here is some places where I would start.

- any 21 year old or older who has not yet cracked a senior team

- anyone not playing in a first divisons. Except for big five leagues where I would consider SOME tier two sides.

- Anyone not playing regularly for for a championship contending side in any or smaller nation national leagues in Europe

[juve82]

BigBird, that young talented goalkeeper (Robert Stillo) just so happens to be my cousin, who is currently playing with the genoa alievi

[BigBird]

quote:Originally posted by juve82

BigBird, that young talented goalkeeper (Robert Stillo) just so happens to be my cousin, who is currently playing with the genoa alievi

Do not tell me another juve fan. Im sorry I should offer you my sincere regrets in going into serie B last year? However they may just finish in the middle of the table,,, some where well behind Milan in first.........

Anyways great news of Robert Stillo, I was the one that first that noticed him on the Italy Web sites, its great he has a cousin here in TO. Keep us informed on How is he doing. I hear lots of good things about his potential, out of Italy from people that I know that tell me he will be there for a long time. Does Robert know anyone personally that is currently playing there... let me know,,,,,,send me an email I have everyones contact numbers,,,,,that are there....

Anyways send him my regards even that I do not now him....but I will travelling to europe mid January to Genoa/tornio/milan/arrezzo, I will catching the game at home with Atalanta. Maybe if possible and if they are at home I go see Robert team play as well I know that they play at 10:00 am on the sunday let me know if there is a game.

Congrats you should be proud>