Giuseppe Rossi

Giuseppe Rossi (born February 1, 1987) is an association football player who plays for the Spain club Villarreal CF as a Forward (association football) Second striker. Giuseppe Rossi was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, in the United States, and has dual United States and Italy citizenship; Giuseppe Rossi made Giuseppe Rossi debut for Italy national football team in October 2008, scoring Giuseppe Rossi first international goal in June 2009.

Early life

Rossi was born to Italian immigrant parents in Teaneck, New Jersey in the United States; Giuseppe Rossi father, Ferdinando Rossi, coached soccer and taught Italian and Spanish at Clifton High School (New Jersey). Giuseppe Rossi mother, Cleonilde Rossi, was also a language teacher at Clifton.

Club career

Early career

When offered a spot on the youth team of Parma F.C., Rossi and Giuseppe Rossi father moved to Italy until Manchester United F.C. bought Giuseppe Rossi contract when Giuseppe Rossi was 17. Giuseppe Rossi scored a long range effort for Manchester United in a 3–1 win over Sunderland A.F.C. at the Stadium of Light.

At the start of the FA Premier League 2006–07, Rossi moved to Newcastle United F.C. on loan until January 1, 2007, where Giuseppe Rossi was expected to gain some first team experience. Giuseppe Rossi made Giuseppe Rossi home debut on September 24, 2006. Rossi scored Giuseppe Rossi only Newcastle goal in Giuseppe Rossi first start on October 25, 2006, against Portsmouth F.C. in a Carling Cup Third Round tie at St James' Park.

For the second half of the season, Giuseppe Rossi was again loaned out, this time to Giuseppe Rossi former club, Parma. Scoring nine goals in 19 league appearances, Giuseppe Rossi helped the club escape the threat of relegation.

Villarreal

On July 31, 2007, Manchester United confirmed Rossi had been sold to Spanish club Villarreal CF for an undisclosed fee, reportedly around Pound sterling6.6 million (Euro10 million). However, a clause was added to Rossi's Villarreal contract that allows Manchester United to re-purchase Giuseppe Rossi at a later date. Giuseppe Rossi scored Giuseppe Rossi first goal for Villarreal on Giuseppe Rossi debut against Valencia CF on August 26, 2007.
In Giuseppe Rossi second season with Villarreal, Rossi had scored 12 goals in 30 league appearances, along with three goals in eight UEFA Champions League appearances.

International career

Rossi has represented Italy at almost every youth level from U-16 to U-21. In 2006, Giuseppe Rossi was invited to a pre-World Cup training camp with the United States men's national soccer team by then-coach Bruce Arena but declined, stating Giuseppe Rossi desire to play for Italy national football team. Giuseppe Rossi was called up for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship by head coach Pierluigi Casiraghi. Giuseppe Rossi scored four goals at the Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's tournament, making Giuseppe Rossi the top scorer for the tournament, despite only reaching the quarter final.

Italy national football team manager Marcello Lippi has stated that should Rossi have been fit, Giuseppe Rossi would have received a call-up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in September 2008. Rossi was called up to the Italy squad in October 2008, making Giuseppe Rossi debut for the national team as a second half substitute against Bulgaria national football team on October 11. Rossi scored Giuseppe Rossi first goal for the Italy national football team on June 6, 2009, in a Exhibition game against Northern Ireland national football team, at Pisa's Arena Garibaldi - Stadio Romeo Anconetani. Giuseppe Rossi also scored 2 goals against the USA in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup on June 15th 2009, in South Africa.

International goals

Honours

Manchester United
- Football League Cup: 2006 Football League Cup Final