Simone Pepe

Simone Pepe (born August 30, 1983) is an Italy football (soccer) striker. He currently plays for Udinese Calcio.

Football career

Pepe was born in Albano Laziale, not far from Rome. He started his career at A.S. Roma, one of the two major clubs in Rome. He was loaned to Calcio Lecco 1912 in January 2002 and Teramo Calcio in June 2002.

Palermo

In summer 2003, the rising Serie B team U.S. Città di Palermo signed Pepe in co-ownership deal, and he scored one goal in that season, and Palermo finished first in Serie B. He was loaned to Piacenza Calcio in summer 2004, because the club thought Pepe has to gain experience before making his debut in Serie A. In summer 2005, he got back to Palermo, because Palermo top-scorer Luca Toni left for Fiorentina. He made 6 goalless appearances, before leaving the club again in the winter transfer window.

Udinese

He joined Udinese Calcio in the mid of 2005-06 season in a co-ownership deal, along with Salvatore Masiello and Nicola Santoni (part of the David Di Michele deal), which the club keen on signing youngsters in recent years, again, he only made 6 goalless appearances. He was loaned out again in summer 2006 to Cagliari Calcio, because Udinese Calcio recalled Gyan Asamoah who shined in 2006 FIFA World Cup. He finally scored his first Serie A goal in 18 November, 2006, the 11th games in that season and 23rd Serie A games in his career, against his former club Palermo, a winning goal in last minute. Pepe returned to Udinese in summer 2007 as Palermo sold the rest of his ownership. In October 2007, Andrea Dossena, Cristian Zapata, Roman Eremenko, Simone Pepe were awarded a new contract until June 2012.

International career

He was selected in U-17, U-19 and U-20 level. Although had a bare first Serie A season, he was selected in the Italy national under-21 football team to 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, but did not play. He made his first appearance with Italy national football team on October 11 2008 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification vs. Bulgaria national football team.