Giuseppe Signori
Encyclopedia
Giuseppe "Beppe" Signori (dʒuˈzɛppe siɲˈɲori; born 17 February 1968 in Alzano Lombardo
, Province of Bergamo
) is a retired Italian
football striker
, one of the top scorers in Serie A
history and widely regarded as one of the best football players to have never received a winners medal in competitive football. He was a fast, left footed striker who was prolific goalscorer. During the early part of his career he was used as a left winger
, where his accurate crossing and pace were put to good use.
Signori used to squeeze his feet into boots that were too small for him, claiming that this improved his touch and accuracy on the ball. He was also known for his unique style of taking penalty kick
s. He would stand next to the ball (without taking any run-up) and shoot.
, but was eventually released after being told by the club that he was too small to succeed as a professional. He went on to make his pro debut for Leffe
(1984–86), followed by Piacenza
(1986–87 and 1988–89), Trento
(1987–88), Foggia (1989–92), Lazio
(1992–97), Sampdoria
(January–June 1998) and Bologna
(1998–2004). He then spent two short periods abroad: first in Greece
in 2004 with Iraklis Thessaloniki; and then in October 2005 he signed a one-year contract with Hungarian
team MFC Sopron
.
Signori led Serie A in goals three times, in 1993, 1994, and 1996 (the last title shared with Igor Protti
). Overall, he scored 188 goals in Italy's top division, the eighth all-time in league history.
Now he is one of suspects in a new betting scandal code named "last bet".
Arrigo Sacchi
, who preferred to play him in the midfield. He played for the national side 28 times, scoring seven goals. The only major tournament Signori played in was the 1994 FIFA World Cup
, where he set up two crucial goals that allowed Italy to advance.
from 2008 to 2009. He is currently undertaking coaching classes in the renowned Coverciano school in Florence, with the aim to become a football manager himself.
Signori was arrested on 1 June 2011 for his involvement in a betting scandal, together with other former players such as Stefano Bettarini
and Mauro Bressan
. On the 9th of August 2011, it was announced that he had been banned from any football-related activity for 5 years for his role in alleged match fixing
.
Alzano Lombardo
Alzano Lombardo is a commune in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy.Alzano received the honorary title of city with a presidential decree of March 11, 1991....
, Province of Bergamo
Province of Bergamo
The Province of Bergamo is a province in the Lombardy region of Italy. It has a population of 1,098,740 , an area of 2,722.86 square km, and contains 244 comuni...
) is a retired Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
football striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, one of the top scorers in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
history and widely regarded as one of the best football players to have never received a winners medal in competitive football. He was a fast, left footed striker who was prolific goalscorer. During the early part of his career he was used as a left winger
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, where his accurate crossing and pace were put to good use.
Signori used to squeeze his feet into boots that were too small for him, claiming that this improved his touch and accuracy on the ball. He was also known for his unique style of taking penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
s. He would stand next to the ball (without taking any run-up) and shoot.
Club career
As a youngster Signori played in the youth system of InternazionaleF.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, but was eventually released after being told by the club that he was too small to succeed as a professional. He went on to make his pro debut for Leffe
U.C. AlbinoLeffe
Unione Calcio AlbinoLeffe is an Italian association football club based in Leffe and also representing the town of Albino, in the Province of Bergamo, Lombardy. AlbinoLeffe plays its home games at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium, in the city of Bergamo, and its official colors are dark blue and...
(1984–86), followed by Piacenza
Piacenza Calcio
Piacenza Calcio is an Italian association football club based in Piacenza. The club was formed in 1919 and currently plays in Italian Lega Pro Prima Divisione B. The team's colors are red and white, prompting one of the team's nicknames, the Biancorossi. They are also known as the Papaveri , and...
(1986–87 and 1988–89), Trento
Trentino Calcio 1921
Trento Calcio 1921 is an Italian association football, and the major football club in Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.The official colours are yellow and blue.-History:...
(1987–88), Foggia (1989–92), Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
(1992–97), Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
(January–June 1998) and Bologna
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
(1998–2004). He then spent two short periods abroad: first in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in 2004 with Iraklis Thessaloniki; and then in October 2005 he signed a one-year contract with Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
team MFC Sopron
MFC Sopron
FC Sopron, was a Hungarian football club from the town of Sopron, near the Austrian border. It was founded in 1921 as Soproni Postás. The club's home stadium is Stadion Városi with a capacity of 5,300.....
.
Signori led Serie A in goals three times, in 1993, 1994, and 1996 (the last title shared with Igor Protti
Igor Protti
Igor Protti is a former Italian footballer. He was a prolific, penalty box striker who became a legend at Livorno...
). Overall, he scored 188 goals in Italy's top division, the eighth all-time in league history.
Now he is one of suspects in a new betting scandal code named "last bet".
International career
Signori was not able fully to translate his success to the national level, partly due to differences between him and national coachItaly national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi is an Italian football coach. He is best known for his success coaching Italian teams, particularly with Milan where he won back to back European Cups as coach in the late eighties where he was head coach of the Italy national football team . He was twice manager of A.C...
, who preferred to play him in the midfield. He played for the national side 28 times, scoring seven goals. The only major tournament Signori played in was the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, where he set up two crucial goals that allowed Italy to advance.
After retirement
After working as a Serie A football pundit for RAI Radio1, he served as director of football of Ternana CalcioTernana Calcio
Ternana Calcio is an Italian football club based in the city of Terni, Umbria.The team's colours are red and green.The club was founded in 1925 and refounded in 1993. In its history, Ternana have twice played in Serie A...
from 2008 to 2009. He is currently undertaking coaching classes in the renowned Coverciano school in Florence, with the aim to become a football manager himself.
Signori was arrested on 1 June 2011 for his involvement in a betting scandal, together with other former players such as Stefano Bettarini
Stefano Bettarini
Stefano Bettarini is a former Italian footballer. He played once for Italy national team.-Biography:Born in Forlì, Emilia–Romagna, Bettarini spent his childhood at Buonconvento, the Province of Siena, Tuscany. He then spent his youth career at Staggia Senese, Poggibonsi, the Province of Siena and...
and Mauro Bressan
Mauro Bressan
Mauro Bressan is a retired Italian football player who currently works as a director of sports for the Hungarian club Vasas SC.-Football career:...
. On the 9th of August 2011, it was announced that he had been banned from any football-related activity for 5 years for his role in alleged match fixing
Match fixing
In organised sports, match fixing, game fixing, race fixing, or sports fixing occurs as a match is played to a completely or partially pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. Where the sporting competition in question is a race then the incident is referred to as...
.
Honours
- Serie A Top Scorer (3): 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96 (shared with Igor ProttiIgor ProttiIgor Protti is a former Italian footballer. He was a prolific, penalty box striker who became a legend at Livorno...
) - Coppa Italia Top Scorer (2): 1992–93, 1997–98
- Guerin d'OroGuerin d'OroThe Guerin d'Oro is an annual prize instituted by the Italian weekly football magazine Guerin Sportivo, which, since 1976, is awarded to the player in Serie A with at least 19 games played, which has obtained the best average-media rating...
: 1993 - Gaetano Scirea award: 2004