Francesco Stella (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Francesco Stella | ||
| Date of birth | 25 July 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2008 | A.C. ChievoVerona | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2009 | South Melbourne | 19 | (2) |
| 2009–2012 | A.C. Siena | 0 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | → Borgo a Buggiano (loan) | 21 | (4) |
| 2012–2013 | Rangers | 0 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Melbourne Victory | 7 | (0) |
| 2015 | Sisaket | 4 | (0) |
| 2015 | Avondale FC | 10 | (2) |
| 2016 | Central Coast Mariners | 8 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 April 2016. | |||
Francesco Stella (born 25 July 1991) is a professional footballer from Australia who last played for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.
Club career
Early Years
Francesco Stella spent the 2007–08 season with the AC Chievo Verona youth team before returning to Australia to play for South Melbourne FC in the Victorian Premier League. Stella made his South debut against Altona Magic late in the 2008 season, when he replaced Fernando de Moraes. He made another substitute appearance against Richmond the following week before making a more consistent 17 appearances in 2009.[1] Stella was named as South Melbourne's U/21 player of the year for the 2009 season.
Return to Italy
In late 2009, he went to Italy where he was offered a three-year contract by Siena. However, he failed to make a single first team appearance for the Italian club.
From 2011–2012, Stella went out on loan to Italian Lega Pro club U.S. Borgo a Buggiano 1920, making 21 appearances, scoring four goals and making six assists for the club.
Move to Scotland
He later moved to Scottish club Rangers for the start of the 2012–13, before returning to Australia with Melbourne Victory.[2] He scored in a 3–1 friendly match win over Falkirk at Ibrox Stadium.
Return to Australia
On 17 January 2013, it was confirmed that Stella had signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Melbourne Victory after impressing coach Ange Postecoglou, becoming their third signing of the summer, along with Jesse Makarounas and Scott Galloway.[3][4] He made his debut for the Victory in The Big Blue match against Sydney FC, coming on as a substitute for Marcos Flores in the 76th minute of the match. The Victory ended up winning the game 3–1, courtesy of goals from Marco Rojas and Archie Thompson.
Stella spent the majority of the 2013–14 season playing in the National Youth League, scoring eight goals. Stella was released by the Victory in July 2014. He had made just seven appearances during his time at the Victory.[5][6]
Sisaket FC
Stella signed for Sisaket FC for the start of the 2015 Thai Premier League season as their designated Asia quota player. Stella left the club at the end of the first leg of the season to pursue other options.
Avondale FC
In June 2015, Stella signed a short term contract with local club Avondale FC in the NPL Victoria. In his first game for the club he assisted two goals in a 3–0 away win over Port Melbourne SC. In November 2015, Avondale confirmed that Stella had re-signed with the club for the 2016 NPL Victoria season.[7]
Central Coast Mariners
In January 2016, Stella signed a short-term contract with A-League club Central Coast Mariners until the end of the 2015–16 A-League season.[8] On 11 April 2016, after making eight appearances, Stella was released by the Mariners.[9]
Career statistics
- As of 12 April 2016
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| South Melbourne | 2008 | Victorian Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||
| South Melbourne total | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | ||
| Siena | 2009–10 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010–11 | Serie B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Siena total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Borgo a Buggiano (loan) | 2011–12 | Lega Pro 2 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 |
| Rangers | 2012–13 | Scottish Third Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Melbourne Victory | 2012–13 | A-League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Melbourne Victory total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Sisaket | 2015 | Thai Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Avondale | 2015 | National Premier Leagues | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 2015–16 | A-League | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 67 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 2 | ||
References
- ↑ http://www.smfc.com.au/francesco-stella-moves-to-the-serie-a/
- ↑ "Stella Moves On". Rangers.co.uk. 15 January 2013.
- ↑ "Victory execute Stella signing". Sportal.com.au. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ↑ "Victory recruits Francesco Stella, Jesse Makarounas and Scott Galloway keen to make an impact". The Telegraph. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ↑ http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/news-display/Francesco-Stella-released/91066
- ↑ http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/melbourne-victory-release-francesco-stella
- ↑ http://www.mfootball.com.au/avondale-holds-on-to-stella-and-murdocca-signs-trio/
- ↑ "Mariners sign Bray and Stella". FourFourTwo Australia. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ↑ "Mariners part ways with three players". MFootball. Retrieved 11 April 2016.