Michele Paolucci
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michele Paolucci | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Calcio Catania | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
Michele Paolucci (born 6 February 1986 in Recanati, Macerata) is an Italian football (soccer) player. He recently returned to Juventus FC from his loan spell at Calcio Catania, in the Italian Serie A.
Club Career
Juventus, Ascoli, Udinese, Atalanta, and Catania
He started his career at Juventus. In 2006-07 season he was loaned to Ascoli, made his debut on 10 September, 2006, against Atalanta B.C.. In summer 2007, he moved to Udinese Calcio on joint-ownership deal, as part of the Vincenzo Iaquinta deal to join Juventus. He made his official game debut in Coppa Italia, scored two goals against A.S. Bari on 29 August, 2007.
In 2008 Juventus and Udinese loaned him out to Atalanta B.C., where he would play until July 2008.
During the 2008/2009 summer transfer window, Juventus and Udinese again loaned him out, this time to Sicilian side, Catania. He has been a revalation so far this term for a high-flying Catania side who are currently fighting for UEFA Cup places for next season. He has scored 7 goals so far this season, and has been regularly included in first team action, under coach Walter Zenga. Since becoming known as one of Italy's most promising young talents, he has stated his desire to remain in Sicily until a big time move to his parent club Juventus, who still owns 50% of the player's contract. Catania have also stated their interest in purchasing half of the player's contract from Udinese Calcio being that Juventus are unwilling to sell their share of the contract. With Juventus persuing Udinese's midfield ace Gaetano D'Agostino during the 2009 summer transfer window in order to bolster their midfield, it is believed that the Turin-based club will offer their half of Paolucci's contract to Udinese in a cash plus part-exchange deal. According to several sources within the peninsula this deal seems ready to take off for a cash amount of around 11-12 million Euros.
He has recently attracted interest from English League 1 side Brighton and Hove Albion, who are rumoured to be weighing up a bid for the player.
Internationals
He made his U-21 team debut against Luxembourg U-21, 12 December, 2006, replacing Nicola Pozzi at half time.