Niccolò Galli
Encyclopedia
Niccolò Galli was a promising professional footballer who died in a road traffic accident aged 17.
The son of former Italian international
goalkeeper
Giovanni Galli
, he began with his hometown club, Fiorentina, before moving to Arsenal
in August 1999. He spent one year in London, winning the FA Youth Cup
in 2000, then returning to Italy to finish his studies. He was on loan with Bologna
during this time. It was here that the young central defender's career really started to take off, featuring in Serie A
and being recognised by Italy's youth teams, before he died. Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger
and Head of Youth Development and Academy Director Liam Brady
both praised the young defender and stated he would have been a certainty to make the Arsenal first team but for his death.
The football training centre used by Bologna FC, in the neighbourhood of Casteldebole, is named after him; Bologna FC also retired his number 27 shirt. Arsenal observed a minute's silence upon the news of his death.
The son of former Italian international
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
Giovanni Galli
Giovanni Galli
Giovanni Galli is an Italian former football goalkeeper and currently a politician.-Club:Galli started his professional career with ACF Fiorentina, where he played nine seasons. In 1986–87, he joined A.C. Milan, being first choice for three of his four years...
, he began with his hometown club, Fiorentina, before moving to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in August 1999. He spent one year in London, winning the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
in 2000, then returning to Italy to finish his studies. He was on loan with Bologna
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
during this time. It was here that the young central defender's career really started to take off, featuring in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
and being recognised by Italy's youth teams, before he died. Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
and Head of Youth Development and Academy Director Liam Brady
Liam Brady
Liam Brady is a former Irish association football player, and former assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team....
both praised the young defender and stated he would have been a certainty to make the Arsenal first team but for his death.
The football training centre used by Bologna FC, in the neighbourhood of Casteldebole, is named after him; Bologna FC also retired his number 27 shirt. Arsenal observed a minute's silence upon the news of his death.