L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022 www.italoamericano.org 28 L'Italo-Americano " I strongly wanted this new chapter of m y c a r e e r a n d I thank LAFC for this opportunity. I will always be grateful for my y e a r s w i t h J u v e n t u s a n d l o o k f o r w a r d t o w i n n i n g more trophies in Los Ange- l e s . " W i t h t h e s e words, Giorgio Chiellini, former Juventus defender and captain, announced to his fans via social media his new adventure in California a n d o n e o f L A ' s c i t y teams, Los Angeles FC. " T h i s i s a r e a l l y e x c i t i n g chapter in my career. I have always dreamed of the USA and Los Angeles and I have often thought of playing in Mls." Chiellini, 37, joins LAFC after playing in the Italian Serie A for 17 years, leading Juventus in an unpreceden- ted run that included nine consecutive titles from 2011 to 2020. Three times Serie A Defender of the Year, Chiel- lini was nominated for the Team of the Year of the Ita- lian championship five con- secutive times from 2012 to 2018, in addition to having won five Italian Cups and five Italian Super Cups. "Giorgio is a player and a s p e c i a l p e r s o n , o n e o f a kind," said LAFC co-presi- d e n t a n d g e n e r a l manager John Thorring- ton. "Signing Giorgio was a u n i q u e o p p o r t u n i t y t o improve our club. He will complement what we believe i s a l r e a d y a s t r o n g t e a m because every day he will set the best example with his leadership, his competitive- ness, and his experience. He's been a consistent win- ner at the highest levels and w e a r e g r a t e f u l h e c h o s e LAFC and joined our pursuit of trophies." Chiellini played 117 times in the Italian national team helping to lead the Azzurri t o t h e 2 0 2 0 E u r o p e a n C h a m p i o n s h i p , w h e r e h e was awarded as Defender of the tournament. The Pisan made his debut for Italy in t h e 2 0 1 0 a n d 2 0 1 4 F I F A W o r l d C u p s , r e c o r d i n g a total of eight goals and four assists in his time with the national team. John Thorrington conti- nued: "Giorgio Chiellini is one of us until the end of the 2023 season: for our club, it i s a u n i q u e o p p o r t u n i t y . Chiellini made his debut in h i s n e w t e a m i n t h e L o s A n g e l e s d e r b y w i t h t h e Galaxy on 8 July. Last season Los Angeles F C m i s s e d a c c e s s t o t h e playoffs for the first time: this year they are aiming for the title. The club has illu- strious shareholders, such as past NBA superstar Magic Johnson and actor Will Fer- rell. According to Thorring- ton, the arrival of Chiellini in his club and that of Loren- zo Insigne in Toronto are important signs: "MLS is b e c o m i n g a l e a g u e t h a t i n c r e a s i n g l y a t t r a c t s a l l types of footballers, from s u p e r s t a r s t o v e t e r a n s t o young talents." We from L'Italo-Ameri- c a n o a t t e n d e d t h e p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e h e l d a t t h e downtown stadium, Banc of California Stadium, to wel- c o m e t h e P i s a n d e f e n d e r who landed in Los Angeles t o g e t h e r w i t h h i s a g e n t Davide Lippi, and manager Alessandro Veroli. Giorgio, how did you react to LAFC offer to play for them? To be honest, when I saw their team I noticed some fantastic defenders and I thought: why did they call me? What prompted you to accept the offer? I f e l t t h a t m y t i m e a t Juventus was over but I also felt I still had years of play ahead and I wanted to end my career at a high level. N o w I c a n f i n a l l y b e a Juventus fan. What are the differen- c e s w i t h t h e I t a l i a n championship? Obviously, there are diffe- rences with Serie A and I will have to adapt quickly, even when it comes to when w e g e t t o t h e s t a d i u m . Speaking with the managers, they told me that we have to a r r i v e a t t h e s t a d i u m a n hour before the match, but I am used to going to the hotel the night before. What contribution do you feel you can make, considering your expe- rience? The team is fantastic, I don't have to bring anything special, I just have to add w h o I a m . I h o p e w e w i l l continue like this. We are at the top now and we have to finish at the top. But it will be a long journey. I'm here to win and can't wait to get started. Physically, I can't be the same as I was ten years ago. But I am sure I can give something and we have to create a good mix of expe- rience and enthusiasm with the younger players to beco- me successful. H a v e y o u t a l k e d t o other Italian footballers who play in the USA? I t a l k e d t o A l e s s a n d r o Nesta and Andrea Pirlo: they talked to me very well about this championship. Alessan- dro Del Piero also advised me to come, plus he loves t h e c i t y a n d l i v i n g h e r e . Obviously, there are diffe- r e n c e s a n d I w i l l h a v e t o adapt as soon as possible not only to the way I play but also to how I live. But my mind is open and I want to get the most out of this club and experience. I don't want to change the team, I just want to bring some of my experience. W h a t d o y o u e x p e c t from this experience? I needed an experience outside of Italy, also to gra- d u a l l y e n d m y f o o t b a l l career. I decided to join a growing league to grow in turn. I am also ready to take on other roles, mentally I t h i n k I a m r e a d y t o b e a m a n a g e r . I w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w a n d p r a c t i c e everything that happens out- side the field, in the offices, but it will take work, patien- ce, and some sacrifice. The American adventure is also p r e p a r a t o r y t o t h e a f t e r - math. What relationship do you have with the United States? I know the United States well, I used to vacation in this country during the sum- mers when I was a teenager. The last time I went on vaca- tion to Los Angeles was ten years ago: a very different experience, I was with the girlfriend of the time and I had rented a convertible. I am now settling here with my wife and my two daugh- ters. Los Angeles football club welcomes Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini SILVIA GIUDICI Chiellini with his new jersey (Photo: Giorgio Chiellini Instagram page) LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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