Gianfranco Zigoni
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gianfranco Cesare Battista Zigoni | ||
| Date of birth | November 25, 1944 | ||
| Place of birth | Oderzo, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Playing position | 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 | ||
| National team | |||
| 1967 | Italy | 1 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Gianfranco Zigoni (born November 25, 1944 in Oderzo) is an Italian former football forward, who was capable of playing both as a striker, or as a left winger. 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 known in particular for his talent and skilful playing style, as well as his colourful personality and rebellious character.[1][2][3]
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]
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]
Family
Zigoni has four children; one of them, Gianmarco, an AC Milan player; has later become a footballer too and made his debut with Serie B's Treviso in January 2009, also scoring a goal in his first professional match.[5]
Honours
- Juventus[2]
- Serie A: 1962–63, 1966–67
- Coppa delle Alpi: 1963
- Roma[2]
- Anglo-Italian Cup: 1972
References
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 3 4 Stefano Bedeschi (25 November 2014). "Gli eroi in bianconero: Gianfranco ZIGONI" (in Italian). Tutto Juve. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Zigoni Gianfranco" (in Italian). Storie di Calcio. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- ↑ "Zigoni, Gianfranco" (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- ↑ "Zigoni lancia Zigoni "Che coppia saremmo stata"" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2009-01-28.