STAR PLAYER: GIUSEPPE SIGNORI

Personal information
Full name	Giuseppe Signori
Date of birth	February 17, 1968
Place of birth	Alzano Lombardo, Italy
Height	1.71 m
Position	Forward, Winger
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps	Goals
1984-1986	Leffe	38	8
1986-1987 1988-1989	Piacenza	46	6
1987-1988	Trento	31	3
1988-1989	Piacenza
1989-1992	Foggia	100	36
1992-1997	Lazio	152	107
1998	Sampdoria	17	3
1998-2004	Bologna	142	66
2004-2005	Iraklis Thessaloniki	5	0
2005-2006	MFC Sopron	10	3
National
1992-1995	Italy Senior	28	7

Giuseppe "Beppe" Signori was born on 17 February 1968 in Alzano Lombardo, Province of Bergamo.  As a youngster Signori played in the youth system of Internazionale, but was eventually released after being told by the club that he was too small (171 cm) to succeed as a professional. He went on to make his pro debut for Leffe (1984–86), followed by Piacenza (1986–87 and 1988–89), Trento (1987–88), Foggia (1989–92), Lazio (1992–97), Sampdoria (January–June 1998) and Bologna (1998–2004). He then spent two short periods abroad: first in Greece in 2004 with Iraklis Thessaloniki; and then in October 2005 he signed a one-year contract with Hungarian team MFC Sopron.

He was a fast and dangerous left footed striker. During the early part of his career he was used as a left winger, where his accurate crossing and pace were put to good use. Not only that, He also had brilliant ability as free kick taker. He was also known for his unique style of taking penalty kicks. He would stand next to the ball, without taking any run-up and shoot.

In early 90 decade, The arrival of Sergio Cragnotti as the new president of the club gave new impetus to Lazio as shown in the summer 1992 transfer market, during which the club purchased established player like Giuseppe Signori, with the intention to replace the fan favorite Biancocelesti that has just sold, Ruben Sosa.

During his carrier with Lazio from 1992-1997 he crowned as Serie A Top Scorer for 3 times. First, with 26 goals in season 1992-93. The record only can be leveled by Argentinean striker Hernan Crespo ten years later. Second, with 23 goals in season 1993-94. Third, with 24 goals in season 1995-96 shared with another Italian striker Igor Protti.

In June 1995 Sergio Cragnotti reached a verbal agreement with Parma president Calisto Tanzi to transfer Signori to the "gialloblu" for a record transfer fee, 22 billion lire in that time. However, following vigorous but peaceful protests by 5,000 Lazio fans that adored the striker, the deal was abandoned. It was the first time in football history that the popular passion by the fans forced a president to hold a football player.

Unfortunately, his success in national level is not same as in club level, partly due to differences between him and Italian national coach Arrigo Sacchi, who preferred to play him in the midfield area. He played for the national team with 28 caps and scored seven goals. The only major tournament Signori played in was the 1994 FIFA World Cup in USA, where he set up two crucial goals that allowed Italy to advance.

 The story goes that during World Cup '94 event, his wife Viviana found out that she was pregnant. She told his husband just before the Italy-Norway match. He had the game of his life that day. The Washington Post called his performance in that game the most inspired by anyone in the first round and his coach at Lazio, Zdenek Zeman, said it was the best game Signori had ever played. It is very difficult to disagree.

Now, when he got retired from football carrier as a player, he still got involved in football activities. After working as a Serie A football pundit for RAI Radio1, he served as director of football of Ternana Calcio from 2008 to 2009. He is currently undertaking coaching classes in the renowned Coverciano school in Florence, with the aim to become a football manager himself.