Emanuele Giaccherini

Emanuele Giaccherini (Italian pronunciation: [emanuˈɛːle dʒakkeˈriːni]; born 5 May 1985) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

He began his career at Cesena, and after loans at three lower-league clubs, helped them to consecutive promotions to reach Serie A. He then left to Juventus, where he won the league title in both of his seasons. He joined Sunderland on a four-year deal in 2013, before moving to Napoli in 2016. Two years later, he joined Chievo.

Giaccherini has earned over 20 caps for the Italy national football team, helping the nation to the final of UEFA Euro 2012 and a third-place finish at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, also taking part at UEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

Cesena

Born in Bibbiena, Tuscany, Giaccherini started his professional career at Romagna team Cesena. He scored 15 goals in the group stages of the Campionato Nazionale Primavera in the 2003–04 season. He was then sent out on loan to Lega Pro clubs Forli, Bellaria Igea and Pavia for four seasons.

Cesena was relegated to the Lega Pro Prima Divisione in 2008, when Giaccherini returned and was partnered with Simone Motta in attack. Cesena came top of the Prima Divisione in June 2009. Due to their good defensive record Cesena finished as runner-up in the 2009–10 Serie B season and was therefore promoted to Serie A, where Giaccherini was partnered with Guilherme do Prado, Dominique Malonga, Ezequiel Schelotto and Cristian Bucchi in attack, none of whom managed to hit double figures.

In August 2010 Cesena offered a new contract to Giaccherini as his current contract was due to expire in 2012.