Massimo Donati

Massimo Donati (born 26 March 1981 in Sedegliano, Province of Udine) is an Italy Football (soccer) midfielder currently contracted to Scottish Premier League club Celtic F.C].

Italy

Massimo Donati holds the current record for being the most capped Italy Under-21 player, although he has never been capped by the National side. Donati is a central midfielder and started his career at Atalanta B.C. and moved to A.C. Milan in 2001 for €15 million.
However, due to the competition at the club, Donati was unable to claim a first team place, spending the Serie A 2002-03 on loan at Parma F.C. and Torino F.C. respectively.

His second season (Serie A 2003-04) at the San Siro saw him join U.C. Sampdoria on loan, before enjoying a successful spell at F.C. Messina Peloro for the Serie A 2004-05 and Serie A 2005-06 seasons.

Despite finding his form at Messina, Donati still found himself out of favour at Milan and was sent again on loan for the Serie A 2006-07, this time to his first club Atalanta.

Celtic

In early June 2007, it was rumoured in various sports and media publications that Donati had been targeted by Scottish champions Celtic F.C.. This rumour was confirmed by his agent on June 18, when he stated that Donati was travelling to Glasgow for signing talks. On June 28 Celtic confirmed the £3 million signing of Massimo Donati on a 4 year contract and was unveiled at 11am at Celtic Park on Friday June 29. Donati was given the number 18 jersey, vacated by ex-captain Neil Lennon. In Celtic's Second League Game of the 2007/08 campaign, against Falkirk, Donati was involved in his side's equaliser when his shot came off Kenny Milne and into the net; Celtic won the game 4-1. The following week, Donati grabbed his first competitive Celtic goal with an equalising goal against Aberdeen Football Club; he added an assist later in the game which Celtic won 3-1.