Pazzini pictured in 2011
|
|||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Giampaolo Pazzini | ||
Date of birth | 2 August 1984 | ||
Place of birth | Pescia, Italy | ||
Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
Playing position | Striker | ||
Club information | |||
Current team
|
Hellas Verona | ||
Number | 11 | ||
Youth career | |||
1999–2003 | Atalanta | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2003–2005 | Atalanta | 51 | (12) |
2005–2009 | Fiorentina | 108 | (25) |
2009–2011 | Sampdoria | 75 | (36) |
2011–2012 | Internazionale | 50 | (16) |
2012–2015 | Milan | 74 | (21) |
2015– | Hellas Verona | 44 | (21) |
National team‡ | |||
1999–2002 | Italy U16 | 12 | (4) |
2002 | Italy U18 | 1 | (0) |
2002–2003 | Italy U19 | 9 | (6) |
2004–2007 | Italy U21 | 22 | (5) |
2009–2012 | Italy | 25 | (4) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 01:41, 23 October 2016 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 September 2012 |
Giampaolo Pazzini (Italian pronunciation: [dʒamˈpaolo patˈtsini]; born 2 August 1984 in Pescia), nicknamed Il Pazzo (The Madman) by his fans, is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Hellas Verona and formerly for the Italian national team, representing his nation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Throughout his club career, he has only played for teams in Italy, previously playing for Atalanta, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Internazionale and Milan. He is well known for his eye for goal and movement off the ball, especially in the penalty area, as well as his excellent ability to score headed goals.
Pazzini started his career at Atalanta, with whom he made his professional debut in 2003, and quickly emerging as a promising youngster. He spent two seasons with Atalanta, playing 51 league games and scoring 12 goals (of which 3 of them at Serie A level). He switched from a left back to a striker.
Pazzini joined Fiorentina from Atalanta for around €6 million in January 2005. During his first season, he scored ten goals in four appearances. but did not find space in Cesare Prandelli's plans as the latter preferred Luca Toni as the main striker, with Pazzini and Valeri Bojinov acting as second strikers.