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Mirco Antenucci

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Mirco Antenucci
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-09-08) 8 September 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Termoli, Italy
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 S.P.A.L.
Number 7
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2007 Giulianova 92 (13)
2004–2005 → Ancona (loan) 26 (2)
2007–2011 Catania 18 (1)
2007–2008 → Venezia (loan) 27 (6)
2009 → Pisa (loan) 20 (1)
2009–2010 → Ascoli (loan) 40 (24)
2011–2012 Torino 60 (16)
2012–2014 Catania 1 (0)
2012–2013 → Spezia (loan) 33 (6)
2013–2014 Ternana 40 (19)
2014–2016 Leeds United 75 (19)
2016– S.P.A.L. 8 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:46, 27 October 2016 (UTC)

Mirco Antenucci (born 8 September 1984) is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie B side S.P.A.L. Prior to joining S.P.A.L., he previously played in England for Leeds United.

Club career

Giulianova

Antenucci began his professional career in 2002, with Serie C1 club, Giulianova, where in two seasons with the club, the young striker managed to make 35 appearances, before spending the 2004–05 season on loan at Serie C2 side, Ancona. During his loan spell with the club, Antenucci scored twice in 27 league appearances, before returning to Giulianova in the summer of 2005. In his second tenure with the Teramo-based club, Antenucci scored 12 goals in 57 league matches, over the course of two seasons.

Catania

In July 2007, he was signed by Serie A side, Catania,[1] and was loaned to Venezia ahead of the 2007–08 Serie C1 campaign. He made 27 league appearances that season, scoring six goals.

On 1 July 2008, Antenucci returned to Catania and entered into the first team squad. He made four substitute appearances under, then coach, Walter Zenga in the first half of the 2008–09 Serie A season. On 5 January 2009, Mirco Antenucci was sent out on loan to Serie B club Pisa, to gain experience and playing time. During his six-month spell with the Serie B club, Antenucci scored just one goal in 20 league appearances, and the club failed to avoid relegation and also bankrupted. He returned to Catania on 30 June 2009.

On 19 August 2009, Catania opted to send Antenucci on another loan deal to Ascoli,[2] where he joined fellow Catania loanees Marcello Gazzola and Vito Falconieri. Following his transfer to Ascoli, he thrived, earning a regular starting role, and going on to make 40 appearances in the league, scoring an impressive 24 goals, finishing the second top scorer in the whole of Serie B. He only missed two league matches: the first round of the season and once due to suspension.[3] He returned to Catania ahead of the 2010–11 Serie A season. Antenucci did make 14 league appearances for Catania that season, although most of them were off the substitute's bench with Maxi López, Francesco Lodi, Gonzalo Bergessio and Takayuki Morimoto competing for places up front. After just one goal in Serie A, Antenucci was sent out on a co-ownership agreement during the January transfer window.

Torino

On 23 January 2011, it was announced that he joined Serie B club Torino in a co-ownership deal. In his first 6-month spell with the club, Antenucci scored 6 goals in his first 19 appearances, before turning in an additional 10 goals in 40 league appearances the following season. Forming a strong strike partnership with Rolando Bianchi. His efforts helped guide the club to a second-placed finish in the 2011–12 Serie B standings with promotion to Serie A.[4]

Return to Catania

On 21 June 2012, Catania outbid Torino in a blind auction for the players' co-ownership, and so the 28-year-old returned to Sicily ahead of the 2012–13 Serie A season. After making a substitute appearance in matchday one of the season on 26 August 2012, the player was sent out on loan to Spezia of Serie B, on yet another season-long loan deal, and finished the season with six goals in 33 league matches.

Ternana

Antenucci was sold in a co-ownership deal and loaned to Serie B side Ternana on 20 July 2013, where he was also named captain. He scored his first goal in the first round against Carpi, a penalty kick. The following game he scored against Cittadella with a goal in a 2–2 draw. Antenucci also scored on the fifth, sixth and ninth day respectively against Siena, Brescia and Virtus Lanciano. After one win in nine games, Ternana found themselves in the relegation zone. He scored a brace during a resounding 5–0 victory over Novara and the next week, repeated the feat with another brace against Crotone.

In the first half of the season, Antenucci had scored nine goals in 21 games. In the second round, the Terni technical changes, passing the leadership in the hands of Attilio Tesser. Antenucci begins with a bang, the second round, scoring six goals in eleven games, which helped Ternana to remain undefeated for twelve games.

On 5 April 2013, he missed his second penalty of the season (the first against Latina) and again against Cesena, the defeat saw the end of Ternana's undefeated spell of 12 games. He returned to goal scoring form on the 36th day, in a 3–3 draw against Modena and repeated his goal scoring form in subsequent games against Bari and Padova respectively.

His goal against Spezia in a 2–2 draw on 22 March 2014, where he controlled a ball on his chest before striking a bicycle kick,[5] was awarded by The News Strip as Goal of The Year. Sky Sport Italia voted the goal second place for Goal of the Season behind Paul Pogba's strike for Juventus against Napoli.

After scoring 19 goals in 40 Serie B appearances for the rossoverde, he finished the fifth top scorer in Serie B for the 2013–14 season helping Ternana avoid relegation with a 16th-placed finish.

His contract was redeemed by the Umbrian club upon the conclusion of the co-ownership agreement on 20 June 2014, for an undisclosed fee.[6]

Leeds United

2014/15 season

On 19 August 2014 it was reported that Leeds United had agreed a deal with the Ternana first-team captain to join the club.[7] It was confirmed on 20 August 2014 via the player's own Twitter account that he had joined Leeds.[8] On Saturday 23 August, Antenucci made his Leeds debut against Watford in a 4–1 defeat.[9] Antenucci made his home debut at Elland Road on 30 August against Bolton Wanderers.[10]

On 16 September 2014, he scored his first league goal for Leeds against Bournemouth in a 3–1 win.[11]

After being used mainly as a substitute after head coach Neil Redfearn changed the teams' formation in 2015 to 4–2–3–1, Antenucci scored his first goal since December, on 18 March 2015 against Fulham in a 0–3 away victory.[12] He scored his 10th of the season on 21 March 2015 in a 1–1 draw against Blackpool.[13]

In April 2015, a story emerged that head coach Neil Redfearn had been put under pressure to 'not select' top scorer Antenucci, because Antenucci's contract featured a clause of an extra year on his contract, should he score 12 goals in his first season. Antenucci's agent Silvio Pagliari confirmed the clause was correct.[14] Despite this, Redfearn gave Antenucci a relatively rare start against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 6 April in a 4–3 defeat.[15] On 24 June 2015, former Sporting Director Nicola Salerno proclaimed the decision to not play Antenucci prior was Redfearn's decision.[16]

On 18 April 2015, Antenucci was one of six Massimo Cellino signings (along with Marco Silvestri, Giuseppe Bellusci, Souleymane Doukara, Dario Del Fabro, Edgar Çani) who controversially pulled out of the squad with an 'injury' the day before a 2–1 loss against Charlton Athletic.[17][18][19]

Antenucci finished the 2014–15 season as top scorer for Leeds with 10 league goals.[20] On 2 July 2015, Antenucci's agent Silvio Pagliari revealed that Antenucci and Giuseppe Bellusci would be staying at Leeds and that owner Massimo Cellino said both players were going to be important players for the 2015/16 season.[21]

2015/16 season

On 31 July 2015, Antenucci was given his favoured squad number 7 for the upcoming 2015/16 season.[22] On 8 August 2015, on the opening day of the Championship season, Antenucci started the game on the bench against Burnley but came on a substitute and scored a stunning left footed strike to put Leeds 1–0 up in a match that finished as a 1–1 draw.[23] On 12 August 2015, Antenucci scored a penalty in a penalty shootout against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup, with Leeds losing 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[24] On 19 August 2015, Antenucci scored a penalty in a 2–2 draw against Bristol City.[25] On 12 September 2015, Antenucci scored the equaliser in the 1–1 draw with Brentford. On 24 October 2015, Antenucci scored a penalty in the 1–1 draw against Bolton Wanderers. On 7 November 2015, Antenucci scored the first goal of a 0–3 away win against West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town.[26]

After a run of games without a goal and a change of manager with Steve Evans taking over at the club, Antenucci found playing time limited with Chris Wood being used as a lone striker. Due to an injury to Chris Wood in late January 2016, Antenucci had a run of games alongside Souleymane Doukara upfront finding his scoring boots by netting both goals in a 2–1 home win against Bolton Wanderers on 5 March 2016, the second of which was a stunning curling effort. This was followed three days later by an assist and a goal, scored in the 94th minute, in a 0–2 victory away to Cardiff City, taking his tally to 8 goals for the season. He scored again in the following game against Blackburn Rovers which ended 2–1 to make it 4 goals in his last three games.

On 19 April, Antenucci was nominated for the Leeds United player of the year award, alongside Charlie Taylor, Liam Bridcutt, Gaetano Berardi and Lewis Cook.[27] The award was won by Taylor on 30 April.[28] Antenucci made what was likely to be his final Leeds appearance in a 1–1 draw against Preston North End on 7 May 2016, with Antenucci coming on as a second half subtitute.[29] Antenucci finished the 2015/16 season as Leeds' 2nd top goal scorer with 9 goals behind Chris Wood who scored 13.

On 7 May 2016, Antenucci revealed in a post on his official Instagram account that he would be leaving Leeds.[30]

SPAL

On 30 June 2016. Antenucci joined Serie B side S.P.A.L. on a free transfer from Leeds. On 15 August 2016, Antenucci scored on his debut for S.P.A.L. against Cagliari in a 5-1 defeat in the Coppa Italia Cup.

International career

In 2002, Antenucci represented Italy U-20 C1 before then representing Italy U-21 C1 Italy Lega Pro in 2003.

In 2005, Antenucci won gold representing Italy, in the 2005 Summer Universiade in Turkey. With Italy winning the Gold medal beating Japan in the Summer Universiade Men's Football final.

Honours

Club

Individual

  • Serie B Top Goal Scorer (Runner-up) 2009–10: 24 goals

References

  1. ^ "UFFICIALE: Antenucci va al Catania, ma su di lui l'asta continua". Tutto Mercato Web (in Italian). 22 July 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  2. ^ "Mirko Antenucci all'Ascoli. Domani la presentazione". Ascoli Calcio 1898 (in Italian). 19 August 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  3. ^ "Giudice Sportivo: 7.000 € di multa. Un turno a Giallombardo e Antenucci". Ascoli Calcio 1898 (in Italian). 11 May 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  4. ^ "Antenucci al Toro". Torino FC (in Italian). 23 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Antenucci al Toro". Mondo Allone (in Italian). 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ http://www.ternanacalcio.com/index.php?module=loadArticolo&idArticolo=3927
  7. ^ Phil Hay (19 August 2014). "Leeds United: Antenucci set to join Whites in next 24 hours". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  8. ^ Phil Hay (20 August 2014). "Leeds United: Whites seal Antenucci capture". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  9. ^ "TWO OFF IN WATFORD DEFEAT". Leeds United Official Site. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Leeds Vs Bolton Wanderers". Leeds United official website. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Bournemouth 1 – 3 Leeds". BBC Sport. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Fulham 0 Leeds 3". BBC Sport. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Blackpool 1 Leeds 1". BBC Sport. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Leeds United: Redfearn put under pressure not to play Antenucci UPDATED". Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  15. ^ "Dave Edwards headed home a late winner as Wolves beat Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  16. ^ "Leeds United under Massimo Cellino – Nicola Salerno lifts the lid". Sky Sports. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  17. ^ Press Association (19 April 2015). "Leeds United striker Steve Morison left bemused by latest chaos at Elland Road". Daily Mail.
  18. ^ Press Association (19 April 2015). "Neil Redfearn:'freakish events' caused six Leeds players to miss game". The Guardian.
  19. ^ Press Association (19 April 2015). "Leeds United should sack six players who pulled out of Charlton game at short notice, says former Whites captain Trevor Cherry". Daily Mail.
  20. ^ "MIRCO REFLECTS ON DEBUT SEASON". Leeds United. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  21. ^ "EXCLUSIVE TMW – Agent Bellusci: "He wants to get to rescue the Leeds"". Tutto Mercato. 2 July 2015.
  22. ^ "2015/16 SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED". Leeds United Official site. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  23. ^ "UNITED IN OPENING DAY DRAW". Leeds United Official site. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  24. ^ "DONCASTER: UNITED EXIT CUP ON PENALTIES". Leeds United Official site. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Bristol City snatch 2–2 draw at Ashton Gate..." Leeds United Official site. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Report: Emphatic United Take Derby Spoils". Leeds United Official Site. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  27. ^ "PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TOP 5 VOTE!". Leeds United Official site. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  28. ^ "TAYLOR CROWNED PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Leeds United Official site. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  29. ^ "REPORT: SPOILS SHARED AT PRESTON". Leeds United Official Site. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  30. ^ "This video is to greet the city of Leeds and the big fans with love". Instagram. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
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