Alessandro Circati

Alessandro Circati (born 10 October 2003) is a professional soccer player who plays as a central defender for Serie B club Parma.[1] Born in Italy and having been a youth international for Italy, he plays for the Australia national team at senior level.

Alessandro Circati
Personal information
Full name Alessandro Circati
Date of birth (2003-10-10) 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
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Perth Glory NPL 21 (2)
2021– Parma 25 (1)
International career‡
2022 Italy U20 2 (0)
2023– Australia 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 June 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:15, 17 October 2023 (UTC)

Early life

Circati was born in Fidenza, Italy but moved to Australia at the age of one, where he resided in the suburban areas of Perth ever since.[2] He attended Servite College during his high school years, where he developed a passion for football and drew inspiration from his idol, Paolo Maldini.[3] Circati began his football career with local club Perth SC before transitioning to the academy system for Perth Glory, where his talent and potential were quickly recognised by the coaching staff.[2][3][4][5]

Club career

Perth Glory

Circati joined Perth Glory in 2017, initially playing for the club's youth teams in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) youth competitions in Western Australia.[4] During his time in the youth system, he helped lead the U20 team to the league title in 2019 following a win against Inglewood United.[6] The same year, he won the U20 State League Reserves Cup against Cockburn City in the final at Dorrien Gardens.[7]

Circati impressive performances in the youth league led him to being promoted to the NPL senior squad, where he scored his first senior goal against Sorrento FC on 15 July 2019.[8] He also played in the A-League Youth competition for Perth Glory, however his side would struggle to find a win and finished last by the end of the campaign.[9] 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.[10]

Parma

Circati underwent trials with several European clubs, including Leicester and Reading in England, where he spent a month before having to move on due to the complications brought about by Brexit.[2][11] 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.[12] Circati would soon turn to Parma after hearing of interest rumours, influenced by his father's connections to the club and his grandparents who were living in Salsomaggiore.[12][13]

2021–2023

On 10 March 2021, after a successful trial period with the club, Circati joined Parma in the youth ranks.[4] He made his U18 debut for his side against Genoa, starting the match and winning 6–1 for his side.[14] On 10 January 2022, Circati was announced to have signed his first professional contract, a two-year contract expiring in 2024, with Parma.[15][16][17]

Displaying a lot of talent and consistent performance in the youth sector,[18] he was promoted to train with the first team, sharing a dressing room with experienced Italian international Gianluigi Buffon, who served as a mentor to Circati when he first joined the club.[19] On 26 February 2022, Circati made his professional debut in Serie B, starting for Parma in a match against SPAL.[20][21] He played as a centre-back as part of a back three line-up and was tasked with marking Giuseppe Rossi, an experienced striker who has played with Manchester United. He managed to keep Rossi from scoring and contributed to a clean sheet for his team as Parma went on to win the match 4–0.[22] At the conclusion of the 2021–22 season, he made a total of 6 league appearances and 2 assists in the games against Cosenza and Alessandria.[23]

Circati made an extra time appearance in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia against Inter Milan, coming off the bench in 106th minute of the match.[24][25] During a league match against Como on 18 March 2023, Circati was shown a red card in the 61st minute due to a challenge with Patrick Cutrone, resulting in a one-game ban from the upcoming match against Palermo on April 1.[26][27] After an impressive defensive performance, Circati received Man of the match after keeping decorated striker Joel Pohjanpalo from scoring in a 2–1 win over Venezia on 20 May.[28] On 8 June, Circati renewed his contract with Parma, tying him with the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.[29][30]

Circati scored his first professional goal on 24 September 2023 in a 1–1 draw to Sampdoria, extending Parma's 16-game unbeaten streak in the league.[31]

International career

Circati, being of dual Australian and Italian nationality, received offers from both countries to represent them in international football.[32][33]

Italy

In March 2022, Circati was selected by Italy U20 for two friendly matches against Germany and Norway.[34] 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.[35] In September 2022, he was called up to the Italy U21 alongside Australian-born player Cristian Volpato.[36] He was an unused substitute in the friendly against Japan on 26 September 2022.[37]

Australia

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.[38][39][40] He was added to the 23-man squad set to play against Argentina in Beijing,[41][42] and was settled into the squad by Mathew Ryan.[43] 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).[44][45]

Circati made his debut on 18 October 2023 in a friendly match against New Zealand at Brentford Community Stadium.[46] 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.[47][48]

Personal life

Alessandro is the son of former Italian football player Gianfranco Circati who played in Perth with Perth SC and Perth Glory respectively.[49]

As a youth during school, Circati would play rugby at lunchtime but considers himself "okay" at the sport. Focused mainly in football, he was applauded by Glory's academy coach and former Sydney FC player Terry McFlynn for his mentality stating, "He was always first there, last to leave, gave everything [...] he had this drive to go as far as he can, with a great mentality."[50]

References
  1. Alessandro Circati at Soccerway
  2. Davidson, John (10 March 2021). "Aussie defender Circati following in footsteps of Socceroos greats". SBS Sport.
  3. "Servite College | Perseverance and Resilience". Servite. iServi News. 30 August 2019.
  4. "PGFC Academy starlet snapped up Serie A club". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 10 March 2021.
  5. "Alessandro Circati is Parma's next great Aussie hope". The Roar. 1 December 2021.
  6. "Murray hat-trick steers Academy Under-20s to Cup glory". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 22 July 2019.
  7. "Academy First Team taste defeat, but joy for U-18s and U-20s". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 1 September 2019.
  8. "Glory edged out by Gulls". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 15 July 2019.
  9. "Glory edged out in final game of season". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 27 January 2020.
  10. "Fornaroli, Kilkenny and Celia claim 2019/20 MGP honours". KEEPUP. Perth Glory. 10 November 2020.
  11. Abbott, Matt (25 March 2022). "Former Leicester trialist Circati explains reason behind Serie B switch". LeicestershireLive.
  12. 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).
  13. Coast, Tom (24 March 2022). "Player chose another club over Leicester 'to go and live with grandparents' - 'Returning home'". Sport Witness.
  14. Manara, Fabio (3 March 2021). "Circati: "Papà Gianfranco un bravo allenatore. Felice di essere a Parma"". Forza Parma (in Italian).
  15. "CIRCATI AND AWUA SIGN FIRST PRO DEALS". Parma Calcio 1913. 10 January 2022.
  16. "Perth teen is Parma's next Aussie hope". The West Australian. 12 January 2022.
  17. Paquette, Catherine (11 January 2022). "Former A-League Youth Perth starlet signs with Italian Serie B giants". FTBL.
  18. "Alessandro Circati, la giovane speranza del Parma". Liga B (in Italian). BKT Series. 30 August 2022.
  19. Rugari, Vince (10 October 2022). "Socceroos make pitch for young Italian star being nurtured by Buffon". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  20. "Alessandro Circati dopo Parma-Spal: 'Una Bella Emozione, ringrazio il Mister E I Miei Compagni'". Parma Calcio 1913 (in Italian). 26 February 2022.
  21. "Perth graduate's Italian breakthrough comes with Buffon's backing". KEEPUP. 2 March 2022.
  22. ""It Was My Moment": Circati Relishes Italian Football Debut". David Ferrini. Lega Football. 28 February 2022.
  23. Farina, Michele (23 December 2022). "La famiglia nel pallone: Gianfranco e Alessandro Circati". 11contro11 (in Italian).
  24. "Internazionale v Parma Starting XIs, 10/01/2023, Coppa Italia | Goal.com". Goal. 11 January 2023.
  25. "Inter necesitó del tiempo extra para ganarle 2-1 al Parma, de Gianluigi Buffon, en la Copa de Italia". Gol Caracol (in Spanish). 10 January 2023.
  26. "Como-Parma, Circati espulso al 61′: salterà la sfida contro il Palermo". Mediagol (in Italian). 18 March 2023.
  27. "Parma: Circati salterà la gara contro il Palermo per squalifica". Ilovepalermocalcio (in Italian). Ilovepalermocalcio editorial team. 19 March 2023.
  28. "Aussie teen named MVP in Italy as international tug of war looms". KEEPUP. 29 May 2023.
  29. "ALESSANDRO CIRCATI RINNOVA FINO AL 2027: AVANTI INSIEME!". Parma Calcio 1913 (in Italian). 8 June 2023.
  30. "Alessandro Circati signs extension with Parma until 2027". Socceroos. 9 June 2023.
  31. Ferrini, David (28 September 2023). "'A Dream Come True': Circati On Goalscoring Milestone For Parma". Forbes. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  32. "L'Australia pensa a Circati". Forza Parma (in Italian). 7 September 2022.
  33. Troop, Guglielmo (10 March 2023). "L'Italia guarda il Parma, Nicolato: "Seguiamo anche Circati"". ParmaToday (in Italian).
  34. Buratti, Simone (22 March 2022). "Otto crociati in Nazionale: debutto assoluto per Circati con l'Italia U20". ilParmense.net (in Italian).
  35. "Italia U20, buon debutto per Circati: gli azzurrini strapazzano la Norvegia". Parma Live (in Italian).
  36. "CROCIATI NATIONAL CALL-UPS – FIRST CALL-UP FOR ALESSANDRO CIRCATI WITH ITALY UNDER 21s". Parma Calcio 1913. 19 September 2022.
  37. "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.
  38. "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.
  39. "Arnold buoyed as Circati rejects Italy for Socceroos". Riverine Herald. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  40. Brunsdon, Simon (6 June 2023). "Gun Italian teen pledges allegiance to Socceroos". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  41. "Parma defender Alessandro Circati named in Socceroos squad for Argentina clash". ABC News. 6 June 2023.
  42. Thomas, Joshua (6 June 2023). "Socceroos name Italy youth international Alessandro Circati in squad to take on Argentina". Optus Sport. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  43. "Maty Ryan eyeing Alessandro Circati for Buffon insight". KEEPUP. 11 June 2023.
  44. "Squad Notes: The potential debutants and returning players for Mexico clash". Socceroos. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  45. "Socceroos play out hard-fought Mexico draw". Football Australia. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  46. "Australia v New Zealand". Socceroos. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  47. Gibson, Tim (18 October 2023). "Circati earns plaudits on Socceroos debut". Socceroos. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  48. 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.
  49. "Parma's Alessandro Circati on "great honour" of Italy and Australia call-ups and playing with Gianluigi Buffon". kick360.com.au.
  50. 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.

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