Valerio Di Cesare (born 23 May 1983) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie B club Bari.

Valerio Di Cesare
Personal information
Date of birth (1983-05-23) 23 May 1983 (age 40)
Place of birth Rome, Italy
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Bari
Number 6
Youth career
000?–2001 Lazio
2001–2003 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Chelsea 0 (0)
2004Avellino (loan) 11 (0)
2004–2005 AlbinoLeffe 16 (0)
2005–2006 Catanzaro 5 (0)
2006–2008 Mantova 49 (2)
2008–2010 Vicenza 46 (2)
2010–2013 Torino 59 (1)
2013–2015 Brescia 62 (7)
2015–2017 Bari 47 (1)
2017–2018 Parma 32 (2)
2018– Bari 130 (15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 January 2024

Career edit

Di Cesare moved his first footsteps into Lazio's youth system. During the summer of 2001, he accepted an offer from Chelsea, initially joining the Blues' reserve team.[1] However, he failed to break into the first team, and left England in January 2004 without making a single appearance, joining Avellino in temporary deal.[2] Di Cesare was suffered him serious knee injury;[3] before move to Avellino, he also went to Brentford[3] and Como for a trial.[4]

Di Cesare then went on to play in Serie B with AlbinoLeffe, Catanzaro and Mantova, joining the Virgiliani in January 2006.

Mantova edit

Di Cesare only played twice for the Veneto side in 2005–06 Serie B. In the next 2 seasons, out of possible 84 Serie B games, he played 46 times.

Vicenza edit

In June 2008, Di Cesare moved to Vicenza along with Simone Calori for €1 million and €500,000 respectively.[5] However co-currently, Mantova had to sign Mattia Marchesetti and Riccardo Fissore also for €1 million and €500,000,[5] thus made the deal a pure player swap without involvement of cash. All 4 players signed three-year contract.[5][6] Di Cesare only briefly played again in the first season with his new club (13 times in Serie B); Di Cesare played 33 games in 2009–10 Serie B.

Torino edit

In his final year of the contract, Vicenza decided to sell him to Torino for €250,000 in three-year contract (€750,000 short with the original price or €83,333 with the residual value of the contract), while Calori who never played for the club was released for free with a write-down of €166,667.[7][8][9] Di Cesare made 50 out of possible 84 Serie B appearances with the Toro, winning the promotion back to Serie A. Di Cesare played 9 times in 2012–13 Serie A. In June 2013, Di Cesare also obtained a license as youth team coach.[10]

Brescia edit

On 8 August 2013, Di Cesare joined Serie B team Brescia.[11] In 2015–16 Serie B, he did not receive a shirt number on 5 August.[12] A week later he was sold to Bari.[13]

Bari edit

Di Cesare signed a two-year contract with Bari on 12 August 2015.[14]

Parma edit

On 31 January 2017, Di Cesare was signed by Parma in a 2+12-year contract.[15][16]

Return to Bari edit

In September 2018, after being released by Parma, Di Cesare agreed to re-join Bari, following the club's refoundation in the Serie D league.[17]

Honours edit

Bari

References edit

  1. ^ "England – Who's who – Valerio Di Cesare". ESPN.com. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  2. ^ "Rosicky: Chelsea move was close". Sky Sports. 1 February 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Blues duo handed Bees trial". Sky Sports. 10 September 2003. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Como invite Chelsea star". Sky Sports. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Vicenza Calcio SpA Report and Accounts on 30 June 2008 (in Italian)
  6. ^ "CALORI E DI CESARE AL VICENZA, FISSORE E MARCHESETTI AL MANTOVA" (in Italian). AC Mantova. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008.
  7. ^ Vicenza Calcio SpA Report and Accounts on 30 June 2011 (in Italian)
  8. ^ Torino FC SpA Report and Accounts on 31 December 2011 (in Italian)
  9. ^ "DI CESARE AL TORO" (in Italian). Torino FC. 16 July 2010. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  10. ^ "Comunicato Ufficiale N°331 (2012–13)" [Press Release N°331 (2012–13)] (PDF) (in Italian). FIGC Settore Tecnico. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Valerio Di Cesare al Brescia Calcio" (in Italian). Brescia Calcio. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  12. ^ "Scelti i numeri di maglia per la stagione 2015/2016" (in Italian). Brescia Calcio. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Di Cesare al Bari a titolo definitivo" (in Italian). Brescia Calcio. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  14. ^ "Mercato: biennale per Di Cesare" (in Italian). F.C. Bari 1908. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  15. ^ "Di Cesare è del Parma" (in Italian). Parma Calcio 1913. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  16. ^ "Mercato, ceduti Ichazo e Di Cesare" (in Italian). F.C. Bari 1908. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  17. ^ "Ora è ufficiale: Di Cesare saluta il Parma e torna a Bari. Il comunicato" (in Italian). AlfredoPedullà.com. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.

External links edit