Gianfranco Zigoni

Gianfranco Zigoni (Italian pronunciation: [dʒaɱˈfraŋko ddziˈɡoːni]; born 25 November 1944 in Oderzo) is an Italian former footballer who played as a forward or as a midfielder. Nicknamed Zigogol by his fans, he was a prolific goalscorer, and played with several major Serie A throughout his career in the 1960s and the 1970s, including Juventus and A.S. Roma. He was capable of playing both as a striker and as a left winger, and was known in particular for his talent and skillful playing style, as well as his 'colourful' personality and 'rebellious' character.[1][2][3]

Gianfranco Zigoni
Zigoni with Juventus in the 1960s
Personal information
Full name Gianfranco Cesare Battista Zigoni
Date of birth (1944-11-25) 25 November 1944
Place of birth Oderzo, Kingdom of Italy
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Striker, Left winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1961–1970 Juventus 86 (23)
1964–1966 → Genoa (loan) 58 (16)
1970–1972 A.S. Roma 49 (12)
1972–1978 Verona 139 (29)
1978–1980 Brescia 40 (4)
1980–1983 Opitergina
1983–1987 Piavon
International career
1967 Italy 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Zigoni started his professional career at the age of 17 with Juventus, playing only four games in three seasons with the bianconeri (scoring one goal), and being successively loaned out to Genoa in 1964. With the rossoblu jersey, he spent a season in the Serie A, with the loan being renewed for another year following Genoa's relegation to Serie B. In 1966 he returned to Juventus, and stayed with the bianconeri until 1970, then leaving the club also because of his strained relationship with then Juve boss Heriberto Herrera.[2] During this period, he also played his only game with the Italian team, a 1–0 win against Romania on 25 June 1967.[4][3]

Zigoni (crouched, first from left) with Verona in 1973

He successively signed for A.S. Roma, spending two seasons under the guidance of Helenio Herrera and scoring 12 goals with the giallorossi. In 1972, he moved to Verona, quickly becoming a team mainstay and a fan favourite, and playing six seasons with the scaligeri. In 1978, aged 34, he signed for Serie B's Brescia, playing two seasons with the rondinelle mostly as a backup player.[3]

In 1980, he left professional football and returned to his native Oderzo, joining the local Serie D team, Opitergina. In 1983, he joined an offer from Terza Categoria club US Piavon, playing until the age of 43.[3]

Personal life

Zigoni has four children. Of them, Gianmarco, an A.C. Milan player, has later become a footballer and made his debut with Serie B's Treviso in January 2009. He also scoring a goal in his first professional match.[5]

Honours
Juventus[2]
Roma[2]

References
  1. "Zigoni, il genio ribelle con Juve e Roma nel cuore" [Zigoni, the rebellious genius with Juve and Roma in his heart] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  2. Stefano Bedeschi (25 November 2014). "Gli eroi in bianconero: Gianfranco ZIGONI" (in Italian). Tutto Juve. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  3. "Zigoni Gianfranco" (in Italian). Storie di Calcio. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  4. "Zigoni, Gianfranco" (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  5. "Zigoni lancia Zigoni "Che coppia saremmo stata"" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
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