IN terms of the dressing room jukebox, Tottenham’s stars might be in good hands with Pierluigi Gollini.
Spurs are set to bring in the Italian shotstopper, 26, from Atalanta on a loan deal that could become permanent, if he makes 20 appearances for the Premier League club for £13million.
Gollini already has experience of playing on our shores. First, he trained with Manchester United’s academy stars from the age of 17 for two years.
In 2016, he had a brief spell with Aston Villa before making his name at Atalanta and becoming an Italian international.
However, it’s his skills with the mic he’s fondly thought of as his alias Gollorius.
The 6ft 4in goalie fulfilled an ambition by releasing his own rap record called ‘Rapper with Gloves’.
Generous Gollini even made sure all proceeds from the song were donated to charity.
SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING
In 2018, Gollini became rapper Gollorius and released his very own hip-hop song.
While Drake or Kendrick Lamar may not feel threatened just yet, ‘Rapper with Gloves’ has so far gained over a million views on YouTube.
And Gollini certainly looked the part with a huge gold chain draped around his neck over the top of a white tee.
In-between spitting lyrics impressively, Pierluigi is seen skipping and doing kick-ups with a group of kids in the promo video for the hit.
‘Rapper with Gloves’ managed to break into the Italian top 100. Any money made from its release was given to charity.
RED DEVIL’S DELIGHT
Gollini began his football career at Fiorentina’s academy, before embarking on a potentially career-changing move to England.
At 17, he joined Manchester United’s academy where he would spend the next two years.
However, he found first team opportunities hard to come by at Old Trafford.
Around the same time he was with the Red Devils, David De Gea was beginning to make his name with the club.
In 2014, he returned to Italy with Hellas Verona after failing to establish himself.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
After failing to make the grade with United, Gollini may have felt he had a point to prove in England.
Aston Villa took a chance on him in 2016, when Roberto Di Matteo was boss and they were in the Championship.
However, as soon as the ex-Chelsea manager was given the boot he found himself out of favour under Steve Bruce.
He made 20 appearances in the 2016-17 season, before he was told he surplus to requirements.
Gollini was soon shipped out on loan to Atalanta, where he would undoubtedly prove himself.
FINDING HIS FEET
In 2018, Gollini signed a permanent deal with the Serie A side.
Initially, he spent the first half of the year as backup to Etrit Berisha. But in the second half of the season he managed to dislodge his rival.
By 2019-20, he was first choice – appearing for Atalanta in their debut Champions League campaign.
Proving to be an astute buy, his performances helped the club reached the last-16 of the tournament.
And in the league, they finished a respectable third in their last two seasons with Gollini between the sticks.
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MANCINI CALLING
Although Gianluigi Donnarumma is, and will probably be for some time, the undisputed No1 for Italy – Gollini is an able deputy.
In November, 2019 he earned his first (and only) cap when Roberto Mancini called up for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Appearing as a second half substitute for Donnarumma, Gollini kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win.
Tottenham fans will be hoping the opposition will draw blanks against their new keeper, when he makes his bow for the club.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
