Alberto Gilardino

He arrived at Parma in 2002, after starting out his professional career with Piacenza and Verona. After taking some time to get settled in his first season at the Club, with a total four goals in 23 appearances, alternating with Adriano in attack, in the following two seasons, he became the Crociati’s leading goalscorer.

With a tally of 23 goals in each of the following two seasons, the fans soon fell in love with him, not only for his goals, but also for the truly iconic celebration that followd: he celebrated every goal by miming playing the violin.

The most important goal he scored for Parma came in our play-off match against Bologna, when the prolific No.11 doubled Parma’s lead in a match which secured the Club’s safety in Serie A.

In 2006, his performances earned him a call-up from Coach Marcello Lippi for Italy’s World Cup squad, and he went on to score a crucial goal for the Azzurri against the USA.