Italo Alaimo (9 August 1938 – 17 July 1967) was an Italian footballer who played as a right winger.

Italo Alaimo
Personal information
Date of birth (1938-09-08)8 September 1938
Place of birth Rome, Italy
Date of death 17 July 1967(1967-07-17) (aged 28)
Place of death Novara, Italy
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1958 Reggina 0 (0)
1958–1961 Volsinio
1961 Tevere Roma
1961–1963 Chieti 58 (9)
1963 Rosignano Solvay 6 (0)
1963–1967 Reggina 115 (12)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Following a successful footballing career in several tiers of Italy's league system, Alaimo died on 17 July 1967 during a medical examination as part of his transfer to Serie B club Novara.[1]

Playing career edit

Following his release from Reggina in 1958 and his consequent success at lower Serie C clubs, Alaimo earned a move to Chieti, making 58 appearances as his club avoided relegation to Serie D for two straight seasons. Nevertheless, Alaimo then dropped down a division anyway to play for Rosignano Solvay, returning to Reggina in November 1963 and earning promotion with his side to Serie B in the 1964–65 season as they won the title.

In July 1967, following several years of success with Reggina, Alaimo earned a move to fellow Serie B side Novara, with the transfer fee amounting to 35 million lire - one of the largest fees in Italian football at the time.[2]

Death edit

Following his transfer to Novara and his presentation to the club's fans, Alaimo underwent a routine medical examination in order to officially complete the transfer. Alaimo got on an exercise bicycle to undergo a cardiac stress test. He completed his exercise, but as he began to dismount the bicycle, he was struck by a spasm; despite resuscitation attempts, Alaimo passed away.[3][4][5] The cause of death was officially given as an electric shock, and three employees at Ospedale Maggiore (where the medical took place) were charged with negligent homicide.[1]

Legacy edit

Following his death, a street in Reggio di Calabria was named Via Italo Alaimo in his honour.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "La Stampa - Consultazione Archivio". www.archiviolastampa.it. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  2. ^ "La Stampa - Consultazione Archivio". www.archiviolastampa.it. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Calcio - Reggina, in ricordo di Italo Alaimo". 18 July 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  4. ^ "GS Noir / Italo Alaimo". www.guerinsportivo.it. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  5. ^ "La Stampa - Consultazione Archivio". www.archiviolastampa.it. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  6. ^ "COMUNE DI REGGIO CALABRIA - Via Italo Alaimo 39 - 89125 Reggio Di Calabria (RC)38.1055015.64422". PagineBianche. Retrieved 3 February 2019.