How did it all begin in Bologna and Italy?
According to Steffano Melni, my coach at the time, who was in charge of the academy, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund also expressed interest in me. He however, chose Bologna, thinking that would be in my best interest. He advised that Bologna, being a small club would have the time to develop me unlike the other two that have a big squad and a big youth team to choose from and might even loan me out to another small club. So I started at Bologna in 1999. From Bologna I was sent on loan to Switzerland where I joined Bellinzona. I wasnt happy moving from 1st Division in Italy to a 2nd Division in Switzerland but I accepted the offer and moved. I impressed Bellinzona so after the initial six-month loan, they signed me on for one year. It was from Switzerland that I first got the opportunity to represent my nation at the 2001 World Under-20 Championship in Argentina. After the World Cup I moved back to Italy and joined Genoa. Then Chievo Verona came for me. I struggled a bit at Chievo becau
