Giuseppe Rossi

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Personal information
Giuseppe Rossi

Date of birth	February 1, 1987 (age 19)
Place of birth	Clifton, New Jersey, United States
Height	5ft 10in (1.78 m)
Nickname	Beppe, Italian Stallion
Position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Newcastle United (on loan from Manchester United)
Number	15
Youth clubs
2003–04	Parma
Professional clubs*
Years	Club	Apps (goals)
2004 2004–present 2006	Parma Manchester United → Newcastle United (loan)	00 (0) 05 (1) 08 (0)
National team**
2003 2003–04 2004–05 2006–present	Italy U-16 Italy U-17 Italy U-18 Italy U-21	05 (3) 14 (6) 03 (0) 05 (0)
* Professional club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:16, 10 December 2006 (UTC). ** National team caps and goals correct as of 12:00, 14 November 2006 (UTC).

Giuseppe Rossi (born February 1, 1987 in Clifton, New Jersey) is an Italian football player. He plays for the English side Newcastle United, on a 4 month loan from Manchester United. Born and raised in the soccer hotbed of Clifton, New Jersey, in the USA, Giuseppe's parents were Italian immigrants, his father a coach. When he was offered a spot on the youth team of Parma, he and his family moved to Italy.^[1]

1 Biography
2 Club career
3 Honours
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Manchester United

Rossi signed for Manchester United on July 7, 2004 from the Italian side Parma for £200,000, though at Parma he was part of the youth set-up and hadn't signed a professional contract. He was 16 years old at the time of the transfer. Naturally left sided, but gifted with both feet, he usually plays in an left forward role and has impressed in that position for United's reserves.

Like many United youngsters, Rossi made his first-team debut in the League Cup, coming on as a substitute in the 2–0 win over Crystal Palace on November 10, 2004. Rossi was handed the number 42 jersey at Manchester United during his first season.

In Manchester United's 2005 pre-season matches, Rossi put up terrific displays, impressing manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who believes that Rossi is a very promising player. Rossi is also a firm fan favourite, and has been nicknamed "Joe Red", a translation of his Italian name and a fitting nickname for a Manchester United player.

He scored his first Premiership goal on his first team debut during Manchester United 3–1 win over Sunderland on October 15, 2005 and followed that up with a goal in their 4–1 win over Barnet in the League Cup on October 26, 2005. On January 18, 2006 he scored two goals against Burton Albion in the third round replay of the FA Cup, while creating two others. He was voted Man of the Match and acclaimed in the media for his clinical finishing.

In the 2005-06 season Rossi spent the majority of his time playing for the reserve side. He scored 26 times in 26 F.A. Premier Reserve League appearances, scoring several hat-tricks. In two seasons at Reserve level, Giuseppe has netted 42 goals in 49 F.A. Premier Reserve League appearances. Rossi made his first Premiership start on May 7, 2006, ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was forced to go home by Ferguson ^[2], having been expected to take over from the injured Wayne Rooney.

He has earned himself an array of plaudits, not least the Manchester United fans, who are hoping for him soon to become a more regular first-team player. It would take a lot, however, to replace either Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha. Ferguson says of Rossi: "He’s only small, but he is good in the air. He has got quick feet, a great football brain and can score goals."

Rossi signed a two-year contract extension at Manchester United on July 4, 2006, tying him to the club until 2010. He stated that he was pleased "to have extended his contract with the best team in the world." ^[3]

In the beginning of the 06/07 season, he was handed the number 19 shirt after Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar changed his from number 19 to number 1. ^[4]

[edit] International

Rossi has represented the Italian national team at Under-16, 17, 18 and 21 levels and is considered a world-class prospect.

Former United States national team coach Bruce Arena invited him to a pre-World Cup training camp, but he turned down the offer as it was his desire to play for the Italian national team in the future. ^[5]

On August 11, 2006, Rossi was called up to the Italian Under-21 side for the first time in his career by new coach, and former Italy player, Pierluigi Casiraghi. His debut came 5 days later in a friendly against the Croatia Under-21s. Rossi, the youngest player in the squad, started the match on the bench. Despite only playing the last 20 minutes, his performance won many plaudits from the Italian media, and Rossi collected the Man of the Match award. The game finished 0-0, with Rossi missing a clear headed chance, but his sublime passing and technique stood out, earning the young forward praise from Casiraghi, who likened him to his former team mate Giuseppe Signori "with the grace of Del Piero", and also from Italy's senior coach Roberto Donadoni. "Rossi is a very interesting player," said Donadoni. "He has quality on a high level. I didn’t expect this and I will obviously follow him with regard to my team".^[6] He has also helped the Italian Under-21 team to claim a place in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship finals.

[edit] Newcastle United loan

Rossi moved to Newcastle United on loan until January 1, 2007, where he is expected to gain some first team experience. He made his home debut on September 24, 2006 impressing all, showing his quick feet with a barrage of snap shots.^[7] It has been reported that Alex Ferguson is increasingly frustrated with Glenn Roeder's tendency to leave out Rossi as his main aim of the loan is for him to gain first team experience, and has stated that he intends to bring him back from his loan in January. Roy Keane, of Sunderland, has been linked with taking Rossi to Sunderland as a way out. ^{[citation needed]}