Paolo Castellini

Paolo Castellini

Personal information
Date of birth	25 March 1979 (1979-03-25)
Place of birth	Brescia, Italy
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Left back
Club information
Current club	Sampdoria (on loan from Parma)
Number	3
Youth career
	Cremonese
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1996–2000	Cremonese	64	(0)
2000–2004	Torino	114	(1)
2004	→ Brescia (loan)	16	(0)
2004–2006	Betis	13	(0)
2006–	Parma	136	(1)
2010–2011	→ Roma (loan)	8	(0)
2011–	→ Sampdoria (loan)	10	(0)
National team
1998–2000	Italy U20	8	(0)
2001–2002	Italy U21	9	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 May 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Paolo Castellini (born 25 March 1979) is an Italian footballer who plays for U.C. Sampdoria as a left defender.

Club career

Born in Brescia, Lombardy, Castellini joined made his professional debuts at U.S. Cremonese at only 17, going on to appear for the club in both the Serie B and Serie C1. In the 2000 summer, he moved to Torino FC, achieving promotion to the top level in his debut season, whilst appearing in 33 matches.

From January 2004, Castellini served a loan at hometown's Brescia Calcio, in the first division (Torino had been again relegated), after which he was released by Toro. In the ensuing summer, he moved abroad and signed with Real Betis of Spain, on a five-year contract. However, his spell in Andalusia would be disastrous, as he never dislodged veteran Luis Fernández from his starting position, also suffering with injuries (torn ligaments and cartilage in his right knee).

After cancelling his link to Betis, Castellini returned to his country in the summer of 2006, joining Parma FC, and being an automatic first-choice from the beginning. In his third season, he played in 41 out of 42 matches, helping the club return to Serie A after only one year.

In the 2009–10 season, Castellini often played as wingback in a 3–5–2 or 5–3–2 formation, with Cristian Zaccardo in the other flank. He helped Parma to a final eighth position, narrowly missing out on UEFA Europa League qualification.

On 26 August 2010, Castellini was loaned to A.S. Roma, as cover for John Arne Riise. On 24 June 2011, in the same predicament, he signed for U.C. Sampdoria in the second division.

International career

Castellini never gained one full cap for Italy, but appeared with the U-21s at the 2002 European Football Championship, helping the national side to the semifinals.

Honours

• Second Division: 2000–01
• Spanish Cup: 2004–05

External links

• Stats at Tutto Calciatori (Italian)
• National team data (Italian)
• BDFutbol profile