Melbourne teenager signs to professional Italian soccer team

A Melbourne teenager has beaten hundreds of other hopefuls from around the world, realising a lifelong dream to play for one of Italy’s top soccer teams, the Genoa FC.

Essendon’s Daniel Di Francesco is packing his soccer boots and heading to begin official training with the Genoa FC national youth team in Italy.

Superstar in the making. Photo: Supplied

The 13-year-old tells 3AW’s Donna Demaio his dad (Johnny Di Francesco – a world champion pizza chef) is really proud of him, thanking his parents and sisters for all their support since he started playing soccer at the age of four.

‘My dad is so happy for me. I couldn’t have done it without my family. My mum, my sisters have sacrificed so much. One day, I just wish I could pay them back.’

The teen says it’s been a lot of hard work and sacrifice but it’s paid off, ‘I’m shocked. It’s been my dream to play for a professional club.’

‘I’m really happy and relieved I got picked but my journey is still beginning,’ Daniel told 3AW News.