Giovanni "Gianni" De Rosa (September 19, 1956 – August 2, 2008) was an Italian football striker who played at Serie A level with Napoli, Como and Perugia, also winning a Serie B topscorer title in 1981 as a Palermo player.

Gianni De Rosa
Personal information
Full name Giovanni De Rosa
Date of birth (1956-09-19)September 19, 1956
Place of birth Cerignola, Italy
Date of death August 2, 2008(2008-08-02) (aged 51)
Place of death Rimini, Italy
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9+12 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
AC Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1974–1977 Lecco 20 (2)
1976–1977Massese (loan) 29 (11)
1977–1980 Ternana 78 (15)
1980–1981 Perugia 22 (4)
1981 Como 6 (1)
1981–1983 Palermo 61 (29)
1983–1984 Napoli ? (?)
1984–1986 Cagliari ? (?)
1986–? Rimini ? (?)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career edit

Born in Cerignola, Province of Foggia, he made his professional debut in 1974 with Serie C side Lecco. After a season out on loan at Massese, he was signed by Ternana, where he spent three seasons. In 1980, he made his Serie A debut with Perugia. After a short spell with Como, he was signed by Serie B club Palermo, where he spent two successful season, scoring a total 29 goals and winning a topscorer title in 1981. He then returned to the Italian top flight in 1983, with Napoli, where he spent a single season before to move to Cagliari. He then finally moved to Rimini in his final appearance as a professional player. After his retirement, he settled in Riccione.

Gianni De Rosa died on August 2, 2008, in a road accident in Rimini, as his motorcycle was struck by a bus in the night.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ "Schianto sull'Adriatica. Muore Gianni De Rosa" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2008-08-02. Retrieved 2008-08-03.