Francesco Stella (footballer)

Francesco Stella (born 25 July 1991) is an Australian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Port Melbourne in the National Premier Leagues Victoria.

Francesco Stella
Personal information
Full name Francesco Stella
Date of birth (1991-07-25) 25 July 1991
Place of birth Melbourne, Australia
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Port Melbourne
Number 10
Youth career
2007–2008 A.C. ChievoVerona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 South Melbourne 19 (2)
2009–2012 A.C. Siena 0 (0)
2011–2012 → Borgo a Buggiano 21 (1)
2012–2013 Rangers 0 (0)
2013–2014 Melbourne Victory 6 (0)
2015 Sisaket 3 (0)
2015 Avondale 10 (2)
2016 Central Coast Mariners 8 (0)
2016 Nest Sotra 6 (1)
2016 Avondale 4 (0)
2017–2019 Port Melbourne 59 (12)
2019 Caroline Springs George Cross 8 (0)
2020– Port Melbourne 1 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 September 2019

Club career

Early Years

Francesco Stella spent the 2007–08 season with the AC Chievo Verona youth team before returning to Australia to play for South Melbourne FC in the Victorian Premier League. Stella made his South debut against Altona Magic late in the 2008 season, when he replaced Fernando de Moraes. He made another substitute appearance against Richmond the following week before making a more consistent 19 appearances in 2009, scoring 2 goals.[1] Stella was named as South Melbourne's U/21 player of the year for the 2009 season.

A.C Siena

In late 2009, he went to Italy where he was offered a three-year contract by Siena. Stella was part of the senior squad, at the time managed by Antonio Conte, although during his first year at the club he mainly played with the Primavera squad managed my Michele Mignani.

From 2011–2012, Stella went out on loan to Italian Lega Pro club U.S. Borgo a Buggiano 1920. Under head coach Gianluca Colonello, Stella made 21 appearances, scoring four goals and assisting 6 for the club before returning to Siena to begin the 2012/13 campaign.

Glasgow Rangers

He later moved to Scottish club Rangers for the start of the 2012–13, before returning to Australia with Melbourne Victory.[2] He scored in a 3–1 friendly match win over Falkirk at Ibrox Stadium.

Melbourne Victory

On 17 January 2013, it was confirmed that Stella had signed a ​2 1⁄2-year deal with Melbourne Victory after impressing coach Ange Postecoglou, becoming their third signing of the summer, along with Jesse Makarounas and Scott Galloway.[3][4] He made his debut for the Victory in The Big Blue match against Sydney FC, coming on as a substitute for Marcos Flores in the 76th minute of the match. The Victory ended up winning the game 3–1, courtesy of goals from Marco Rojas and Archie Thompson.

Stella spent the majority of the 2013–14 season playing in the National Youth League, scoring eight goals. Stella was released by the Victory in July 2014. He had made just seven appearances during his time at the Victory.[5][6]

Sisaket FC

Stella signed for Sisaket FC for the start of the 2015 Thai Premier League season as their designated Asia quota player. Stella left the club at the end of the first leg of the season to pursue other options.

Avondale FC

In June 2015, Stella signed a short-term contract with local club Avondale FC in the NPL Victoria. In his first game for the club he assisted two goals in a 3–0 away win over Port Melbourne SC. Stella scored 2 goals in his ten appearances for the club and was an important figure in keeping Avondale in the NPL. In November 2015, Avondale confirmed that Stella had re-signed with the club for the 2016 NPL Victoria season.[7]

Central Coast Mariners

In January 2016, Stella signed a one-year contract with A-League club Central Coast Mariners until the end of the 2015–16 A-League season.[8] After making eight appearances, Stella did not resign with the Mariners.[9]

Nest Sotra Fotball

Stella signed a short-term contract with Norwegian Obos Liga Club Nest Sotra in until the conclusion of the domestic season on 31 October 2016.

Port Melbourne

Stella signed with Port Melbourne for the 2017 Victorian National Premier League season.

Career statistics
As of 5 June 2016
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
South Melbourne2008Victorian Premier League20000020
20091720000170
South Melbourne total1900000190
Siena2009–10Serie A00000000
2010–11Serie B00000000
Siena total00000000
Borgo a Buggiano (loan)2011–12Lega Pro 22140000211
Rangers2012–13Scottish Third Division00000000
Melbourne Victory2012–13A-League60000060
2013–1400000000
Melbourne Victory total60000060
Sisaket2015Thai Premier League40000030
Avondale2015National Premier Leagues1020000101
Central Coast Mariners2015–16A-League80000080
Avondale2016National Premier Leagues30000010
Nest Sotra2016Obos Liga60000000
Total7280000728
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References
  1. http://www.smfc.com.au/francesco-stella-moves-to-the-serie-a/
  2. "Stella Moves On". Rangers.co.uk. 15 January 2013. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  3. "Victory execute Stella signing". Sportal.com.au. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  4. "Victory recruits Francesco Stella, Jesse Makarounas and Scott Galloway keen to make an impact". The Telegraph. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  5. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/news-display/Francesco-Stella-released/91066
  6. http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/melbourne-victory-release-francesco-stella
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Mariners sign Bray and Stella". FourFourTwo Australia. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  9. "Mariners part ways with three players". MFootball. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
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