Marco Silvestri

Marco Silvestri (born 2 March 1991) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Italian club Hellas Verona. Before joining Verona in 2017, he played in England for Leeds United and in Italy for Chievo, Reggiana, Padova and Cagliari. Silvestri has represented his country at under-20 and under-21 level.

Marco Silvestri

Personal information
Full name	Marco Silvestri[1]
Date of birth	(1991-03-02) 2 March 1991
Place of birth	Castelnovo ne' Monti, Italy
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position(s)	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	Hellas Verona
Number	1
Youth career
2009–2011	Modena
2010–2011	→ Chievo (loan)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2014	Chievo	0	(0)
2011–2012	→ Reggiana (loan)	27	(0)
2012–2013	→ Padova (loan)	25	(0)
2014	→ Cagliari (loan)	3	(0)
2014–2017	Leeds United	88	(0)
2017–	Hellas Verona	77	(0)
National team
2009–2011	Italy U20	5	(0)
2011	Italy U21	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:56, 13 August 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Modena

Born in Castelnovo ne' Monti, the Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia–Romagna, Silvestri started his career at Emilia club Modena. He was the third keeper behind Enrico Alfonso and Antonio Narciso in 2009–10 season.

Chievo

In August 2010, Silvestri was signed by Serie A club Chievo on a temporary deal, with an option to purchase half of his registration rights.[2] He was the third keeper of the team, behind Stefano Sorrentino and Lorenzo Squizzi. Silvestri also became the first choice keeper at the "spring" under-20 team. In June 2011 Chievo exercised the option to sign Silvestri in a co-ownership deal, for €300,000.[3][4]

Reggiana loan

Silvestri returned to Reggio Emilia for Reggiana in July to replace Niccolò Manfredini.[5] However Silvestri became the backup of Niccolò Bellucci since round 12. After the winter break Silvestri re-affirmed as first choice. In June 2012 Chievo signed Silvestri outright for another €150,000.[6]

Padova loan

In July 2012 he left for Padova. The club failed to renew the loan of fellow U21 internationals Mattia Perin. Silvestri wore no.1 shirt for Padova in new season and would compete with ex-internationals Ivan Pelizzoli who acted as second-choice last season. However, on the last day of the transfer window, Pelizzoli rejoined Perin in Pescara and Luca Anania, who became second choice in the same club, left for Padova.

Cagliari loan

On 30 January 2014, Silvestri signed for Cagliari on loan, including the option for Cagliari to acquire half his ownership rights at the end of the season, the move saw Cagliari first choice Goalkeeper Michael Agazzi join Chievo on a permanent deal.[7]

Silverstri was given the number 1 shirt. He made his debut for the club in the Serie A match against Parma on 27 April, coming into the side for Vlada Avramov, keeping a clean sheet on his debut in a 1–0 win. On 6 May, Silvestri started the match against S.S.C. Napoli, a game in which Silvestri was given a straight red card in a 3–0 loss after fouling Goran Pandev. After returning from suspension he returned for the final match of the season in a 3–0 loss against Juventus.

On 27 June, Silvestri's agent Francesco Romano, revealed that Silvestri was in talks over a move to English club Leeds United, owned by former Cagliari owner Massimo Cellino.[8][9]

Leeds United

2014–15 Season

On 8 July 2014, Silvestri left Chievo for a fee of €1 million,[10] and signed a four-year contract with English club Leeds United along with fellow Italian Tommaso Bianchi.[11][12] Silvestri's first appearance for Leeds came on 11 July in Leeds' first pre–season game, which resulted in a 16–0 victory against Italian side FC Gherdeina.[13] On 1 August, Silvestri was assigned the Leeds number 1 shirt for the 2014–15 season.[14] Silvestri made his debut for Leeds on 9 August against Millwall.[15] Silvestri kept his first clean sheet for Leeds in his home debut at Elland Road on 16 August in Leeds' 1–0 victory against Middlesbrough after a goal by Billy Sharp.[16]

Silvestri kept a clean sheet and won the man of the match award after a string of saves in Leeds' 1–0 win on 30 August against Bolton Wanderers.[17] The performance led to him being named in the Football League team of the week.[18] Silvestri's impressive form continued against Bournemouth in a 3–1 win.[19] With Silvestri earning praise from Caretaker Head Coach Neil Redfearn after a string of impressive saves to help keep Leeds in the game when they were 1–0 down.[20]

Silvestri received the Man of the Match Award after keeping a clean sheet against the then league leaders Middlesbrough 1–0 on 21 February 2015.[21] On 4 March, Silvestri saved a late penalty from Daryl Murphy to help earn Leeds a 2–1 victory against Ipswich Town.[22]

On 18 April 2015, Silvestri was one of six Massimo Cellino signings (alongside Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Souleymane Doukara, Dario Del Fabro, Edgar Çani) who controversially pulled out of the squad with an 'injury' the day before a 2–1 loss against Charlton Athletic.[23]

On 2 May 2015, Silvestri was one of five players nominated for the Fans Player Of The Year Award at Leeds United's official end of 2014–15 season awards ceremony, but lost out to eventual winner Alex Mowatt.[24] After the end of the 2014–15 season, Silvestri after an impressive debut season proclaimed Life in Leeds is good. Me and my wife feel at home here.[25]

2015–16 season

After the signing of Goalkeeper Ross Turnbull on 15 July 2015, head coach Uwe Rösler revealed Silvestri would still be the club's number 1 goalkeeper.[26] Turnbull revealed he was going to challenge Silvestri for the Number 1 shirt.[27]

2016–17 season

After the signing of Robert Green as the club's first choice Goalkeeper, Silvestri on 5 August was given the squad number 12 shirt for the 2016–17 season.[28] He made his first appearance of the season for Leeds on 23 August 2016, starting in Leeds' League Cup fixture against Luton Town.[29] On 26 October 2016, Silvestri was the hero for Leeds, after saving 3 penalties for Leeds in their victory against Norwich City in the English League Cup, with a dramatic penalty shootout victory after a 2–2 draw in extra time.[30]

On 29 November 2016, Silvestri started for Leeds in EFL Cup quarter-final match against Liverpool at Anfield in a 2–0 defeat.[31]

Hellas Verona

On 18 July 2017, Silvestri played the full 90 minutes of a closed-door friendly between Leeds and Bursaspor,[32] but the next day he travelled to Verona to complete a transfer to Serie A club Hellas Verona, for an undisclosed fee.[33]

International career

Silvestri started his national career in the 2008 goalkeeper training camp.[34]

Silvestri received his first cap in December 2009 from Francesco Rocca for the Italy U20 team.[35] He played that match, the round 3 of 2009–10 Four Nations Tournament, replacing Antonio Piccolo in the second half. He also played the last round (round 6) in that tournament. Silvestri played twice (out of 6 games) in the 2010–11 edition.

In June 2011, he was picked for the Italy Under 21s team by Ciro Ferrara to represent his country in the 2011 Toulon Tournament, serving as backup to Sergio Viotti. Silvestri only played once in the bronze match. After the tournament he did not receive a call-up for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification.

On 17 July 2015, Ermes Fulgoni who was Gianluigi Buffon's former goalkeeping coach at Parma described Silvestri as the heir to Buffon and tipped him to be Italy's future number 1 goalkeeper.[36]

Trivia

Silvestri's partner is Moroccan Givenchy fashion model Sofia Jamal Eddine.[37][38] Silvestri also revealed that Eddine (who speaks fluent Italian and English) had been helping teach him English.[37]

Career statistics

As of match played 2 August 2020[39][40]

Club	Season	League			National Cup[41]		League Cup[42]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Modena	2009–10	Serie B	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Chievo	2010–11	Serie A	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
Reggiana	2011–12	Lega Pro	27	0	1	0	1	0	29	0
Padova	2012–13	Serie B	25	0	0	0	0	0	25	0
Chievo	2013–14	Serie A	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	0
Cagliari	2013–14	Serie A	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Leeds United	2014–15	Championship	43	0	1	0	0	0	44	0
	2015–16		45	0	3	0	0	0	48	0
	2016–17		0	0	2	0	4	0	6	0
	Total		88	0	6	0	4	0	98	0
Verona	2017–18	Serie A	2	0	2	0	—		4	0
	2018–19	Serie B	40	0	1	0	—		41	0
	2019–20	Serie A	35	0	1	0	—		36	0
	Total		77	0	4	0	0	0	81	0
Career total			220	0	14	0	6	0	239	0

References

1. "EFL: Retained list: 2015/16" (PDF). English Football League. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
2. "MERCATO". AC ChievoVerona (in Italian). 18 August 2010. Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
3. AC ChievoVerona Report and Accounts on 30 June 2011 (in Italian)
4. "Comproprietà: Parolo al Cesena, riscattato Silvestri" [Co-ownership: Parolo to Cesena, redeemed Silvestri]. AC ChievoVerona (in Italian). 22 June 2011. Archived from the original on 25 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
5. "Marco Silvestri in prestito alla Reggiana" [Marco Silvestri temporary to Reggiana]. AC ChievoVerona (in Italian). 4 July 2011. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
6. AC ChievoVerona Srl bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2012 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian CCIAA
7. "Silvestri al Cagliari" (in Italian). Cagliari Calcio. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
8. "marco-silvestri-oggi-firma-per-il-leeds". Gazzetta Di Reggio (in Italian). 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
9. "The Italian job! Leeds close in on TRIPLE swoop with Ross McCormack future still uncertain". The Express. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
10. A.C. Chievo-Verona S.r.l. bilancio al 30-06-2015 [A.C. Chievo-Verona S.r.l. financial report on 30-06-2015] (in Italian). Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2015. p. 24.
11. "Leeds United complete Silvestri and Bianchi signings". Yorkshire Evening Post. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
12. "Leeds United: New faces highlight fresh approach to transfer market". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
13. "Leeds United hammer Italian minnows FC Gherdeina 16–0". YEP. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
14. "SQUAD NUMBERS RELEASED". Leeds United. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
15. "Millwall v Leeds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
16. "DEBUTANT SHARP BLUNTS BORO". Leeds United Official Site. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
17. "Leeds Vs Bolton Wanderers". Leeds United official website. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
18. Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week 30/08/14 – 31/08/14. Football-league.co.uk. 1 September 2014.
19. "Bournemouth 1 – 3 Leeds". BBC Sport. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
20. "Neil Redfearn praised Leeds after win over Bournemouth". Sky Sports. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
21. "Middlesbrough 0 Leeds United 1: Mowatt shocks leaders Boro". Yorkshire Evening Post. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
22. "Leeds United: Mowatt is becoming a free-kick specialist". Yorkshire Evening Post. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
23. Press Association (19 April 2015). "Neil Redfearn:'freakish events' caused six Leeds players to miss game". The Guardian.
24. "Mowatt scoops awards night double". Leeds United. 2 May 2015.
25. "Goalkeeper reflects on his debut season at Elland Road". Leeds United. 1 June 2015.
26. "Ross Turnbull: Leeds United sign Barnsley goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
27. "TURNBULL VOWS TO CHALLENGE FOR NO.1". Leeds United Official Site. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
28. "2016/17 SQUAD NUMBERS CONFIRMED". Leeds United. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
29. "MATCHDAY: LUTON- LIVE!". Leeds United. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
30. "NORWICH CITY: PENALTIES SEE LEEDS EDGE CLASSIC". Leeds United. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
31. Jurejko, Jonathan (29 November 2016). "Liverpool 2–0 Leeds United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
32. Phil Hay (18 July 2017). "WATCH: Leeds United beaten by Bursaspor in last-minute friendly - report". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
33. "SILVESTRI MAKES SERIE A MOVE". Leeds United. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
34. "Per rilanciare la scuola italiana, a Coverciano stage per 23 giovani". FIGC (in Italian). 26 November 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
35. "Quattro Nazioni: a Taranto arriva la Germania. Rocca ne convoca 18". FIGC (in Italian). 1 December 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
36. "Serie A sides urged to sign Silvestri". Team Talk. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
37. "Silvestri living up to high billing of Cellino". Yorkshire Post. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
38. "Sofia Jamal Eddine". Fashion Copious. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
39. "Statistics". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
40. Marco Silvestri at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
41. Includes Coppa Italia and FA Cup
42. Includes Football League Cup and Coppa Italia Lega Pro

External links

• Football.it Profile (in Italian)
• Lega Serie B Profile (in Italian)
• FIGC (in Italian)