Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 10 October 2003 | ||
Place of birth | Fidenza, Italy | ||
Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
Position(s) | Central defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Parma | ||
Number | 39 | ||
Youth career | |||
2014–2016 | Perth SC | ||
2017–2021 | Perth Glory | ||
2021–2022 | Parma | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2019–2021 | Perth Glory NPL | 21 | (2) |
2022– | Parma | 50 | (1) |
International career‡ | |||
2022 | Italy U20 | 2 | (0) |
2023– | Australia | 2 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 June 2024 |
Alessandro Circati (born 10 October 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Serie A club Parma.[1] Born in Italy and a former youth international for Italy, he plays for the Australian national team.
Early life
[edit]Circati was born in Fidenza, Italy, to Gianfranco Circati, who was a professional footballer.[2] Born in the province of Parma and Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, his grandparents resided in Salsomaggiore Terme and originated from the region.[3] Circati moved to Perth, Australia at the age of one.[4] As a youth during school, Circati played football and rugby league, although focussed more on the former as he was "okay" at rugby.[5] He attended Servite College during high school and idolised Paolo Maldini.[6] Circati began his football career at Perth SC until the age of 14 when he moved to the academy system of Perth Glory.[7][8] In 2024 he is promoted to Serie A with his team.
Club career
[edit]Perth Glory
[edit]Circati played for Perth Glory in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) youth competitions in Western Australia.[7] Since joining in 2017, he was part of the under-20s team that claimed the league title and the State League Reserves Cup in the 2019 season, winning the cup final against Cockburn City at Dorrien Gardens.[9][10]
Circati played for the NPL senior squad mid-season of 2019 and scored his first senior goal against Sorrento FC on 15 July 2019.[11] He also played in the A-League Youth competition for Perth Glory although his side finished last by the end of the campaign with no wins.[12] By the end of the 2020 season, Circati received Most Glorious Youth Player Award by Perth Glory at the club's award ceremony, recognising his performances whilst playing with the academy.[13]
Parma
[edit]Circati underwent trials with several European clubs, including Leicester and Reading in England, where he spent three months before having to move on due to the complications brought about by Brexit.[4][14][15] According to reports, Leicester was considering making an offer to the young player, but due to his Italian passport and young age, finalising a deal proved to be difficult.[3][16] Influenced from his father and the connection to his hometown, Circati joined Parma on 10 March 2021 after a successful trial period with the club.[7][17] On 10 January 2022, Circati was announced to have signed his first professional contract, a two-year contract expiring in 2024, with Parma.[18][19][20]
Displaying consistent performances in the youth sector,[21] Circati was promoted to train with the first team, sharing a dressing room with experienced Italian international Gianluigi Buffon, who served as a mentor to him when he first joined the club.[22] On 26 February 2022, Circati made his professional debut for Parma, starting and keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 win against SPAL in Serie B.[23][24][25] In the 2021–22 season, he made a total of 6 league appearances and 2 assists in the games against Cosenza and Alessandria.[26] On 8 June, Circati renewed his contract with Parma, tying him with the club until the end of the 2026–27 season.[27] In the 2022–23 season, Circati made 17 appearances for Parma across all competitions.[28]
Circati scored his first professional goal on 24 September 2023 in a 1–1 draw to Sampdoria, extending Parma's 16-game unbeaten streak during the 2023–24 Serie B season.[29] In that season, Parma earned promotion to Serie A, the first time since the 2020–21 season, and progressed to the Round of 16 in the Coppa Italia. Circati made 32 appearances and one goal across all competitions.[30]
International career
[edit]Italy
[edit]Circati, being of dual Australian and Italian nationality, received offers from both countries to represent them in international football.[31][32] In March 2022, Circati was selected by Italy U20 for two friendly matches against Germany and Norway.[33] On 28 March, he made his debut against Norway as a starter and helped keep a clean sheet in a 5–0 win for the Azzurri.[34] In September 2022, he was called up to the Italy U21 alongside Australian-born player Cristian Volpato.[35] He was an unused substitute in the friendly against Japan on 26 September 2022.[36]
Australia
[edit]On 6 June 2023, after talks with Graham Arnold and a phone call with his family, Circati made the decision to represent Australia rather than Italy, rejecting the Gli Azzurrini call-up to their youth team.[37][38][39] He was added to the 23-man squad set to play against Argentina in Beijing,[40][41] and was settled into the squad by Mathew Ryan.[42] However, Circati was an unused substitute in two friendlies with the Socceroos, sitting on the bench in the matches against Argentina and Mexico (on 12 September).[43][44]
Circati made his debut on 18 October 2023 in a friendly match against New Zealand at Brentford Community Stadium.[45] He played a part in the opening goal scored by Harry Souttar and kept a clean sheet in the process as Australia won 2–0 over their rivals.[46][47] Circati made his competitive debut on 11 June 2024 in a 5–0 win against Palestine in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.[48]
Honours
[edit]Parma
References
[edit]- ^ Alessandro Circati at Soccerway
- ^ "Parma's Alessandro Circati on "great honour" of Italy and Australia call-ups and playing with Gianluigi Buffon". kick360.com.au. 21 April 2022.
- ^ a b Oreglia, Carlo (29 January 2022). "Di padre in figlio: l'italo-australiano Alessandro Circati a Parma 25 anni dopo il padre Gianfranco". SBS Language (in Italian).
- ^ a b Davidson, John (10 March 2021). "Aussie defender Circati following in footsteps of Socceroos greats". SBS Sport.
- ^ Peacock, Adam (14 June 2023). "Newest Socceroo Alessandro Circati explains why he chose Australia over Italy before Argentina match". Code Sports. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Servite College | Perseverance and Resilience". Servite. iServi News. 30 August 2019.
- ^ a b c "PGFC Academy starlet snapped up Serie A club". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 10 March 2021.
- ^ "Alessandro Circati is Parma's next great Aussie hope". The Roar. 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Murray hat-trick steers Academy Under-20s to Cup glory". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 22 July 2019.
- ^ "Academy First Team taste defeat, but joy for U-18s and U-20s". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Glory edged out by Gulls". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 15 July 2019.
- ^ "Glory edged out in final game of season". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Fornaroli, Kilkenny and Celia claim 2019/20 MGP honours". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 10 November 2020.
- ^ Abbott, Matt (25 March 2022). "Former Leicester trialist Circati explains reason behind Serie B switch". LeicestershireLive.
- ^ "Parma, Circati: «Stiamo cercando di riportare il club dove merita, in Serie A»". I love Palermo Calcio (in Italian). 29 November 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Coast, Tom (24 March 2022). "Player chose another club over Leicester 'to go and live with grandparents' - 'Returning home'". Sport Witness.
- ^ Manara, Fabio (3 March 2021). "Circati: "Papà Gianfranco un bravo allenatore. Felice di essere a Parma"". Forza Parma (in Italian).
- ^ "CIRCATI AND AWUA SIGN FIRST PRO DEALS". Parma Calcio 1913. 10 January 2022.
- ^ "Perth teen is Parma's next Aussie hope". The West Australian. 12 January 2022.
- ^ Paquette, Catherine (11 January 2022). "Former A-League Youth Perth starlet signs with Italian Serie B giants". FTBL.
- ^ "Alessandro Circati, la giovane speranza del Parma". Liga B (in Italian). BKT Series. 30 August 2022.
- ^ Rugari, Vince (10 October 2022). "Socceroos make pitch for young Italian star being nurtured by Buffon". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Alessandro Circati dopo Parma-Spal: 'Una Bella Emozione, ringrazio il Mister E I Miei Compagni'". Parma Calcio 1913 (in Italian). 26 February 2022.
- ^ "Perth graduate's Italian breakthrough comes with Buffon's backing". KEEPUP. 2 March 2022.
- ^ ""It Was My Moment": Circati Relishes Italian Football Debut". David Ferrini. Lega Football. 28 February 2022.
- ^ Farina, Michele (23 December 2022). "La famiglia nel pallone: Gianfranco e Alessandro Circati". 11contro11 (in Italian).
- ^ "ALESSANDRO CIRCATI RINNOVA FINO AL 2027: AVANTI INSIEME!". Parma Calcio 1913 (in Italian). 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Alessandro Circati signs extension with Parma until 2027". Socceroos. 9 June 2023.
- ^ Ferrini, David (28 September 2023). "'A Dream Come True': Circati On Goalscoring Milestone For Parma". Forbes. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "Alessandro Circati secures Serie A promotion with Parma". Socceroos. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "L'Australia pensa a Circati". Forza Parma (in Italian). 7 September 2022.
- ^ Troop, Guglielmo (10 March 2023). "L'Italia guarda il Parma, Nicolato: "Seguiamo anche Circati"". ParmaToday (in Italian).
- ^ Buratti, Simone (22 March 2022). "Otto crociati in Nazionale: debutto assoluto per Circati con l'Italia U20". ilParmense.net (in Italian).
- ^ "Italia U20, buon debutto per Circati: gli azzurrini strapazzano la Norvegia". Parma Live (in Italian).
- ^ "CROCIATI NATIONAL CALL-UPS – FIRST CALL-UP FOR ALESSANDRO CIRCATI WITH ITALY UNDER 21s". Parma Calcio 1913. 19 September 2022.
- ^ "国際親善試合 日程・結果". JFA|公益財団法人日本サッカー協会 (in Japanese). 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Socceroo set for dramatic 18-year first in Serie A thanks to Paulo Dybala & a new rule". KEEPUP. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Arnold buoyed as Circati rejects Italy for Socceroos". Riverine Herald. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ Brunsdon, Simon (6 June 2023). "Gun Italian teen pledges allegiance to Socceroos". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Parma defender Alessandro Circati named in Socceroos squad for Argentina clash". ABC News. 6 June 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Joshua (6 June 2023). "Socceroos name Italy youth international Alessandro Circati in squad to take on Argentina". Optus Sport. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Maty Ryan eyeing Alessandro Circati for Buffon insight". KEEPUP. 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Squad Notes: The potential debutants and returning players for Mexico clash". Socceroos. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "Socceroos play out hard-fought Mexico draw". Football Australia. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "Australia v New Zealand". Socceroos. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Gibson, Tim (18 October 2023). "Circati earns plaudits on Socceroos debut". Socceroos. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Monteverde, Marco (18 October 2023). "Alessandro Circati debuts in style for the Socceroos against New Zealand". news.com.au. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ Drennan, Jonathan (11 June 2024). "Socceroos World Cup qualifiers As It Happened: Australia cruise to 5-0 victory". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
External links
[edit]- Alessandro Circati at Soccerway
- FIGC U20 Profile