Diego De Girolamo Explained

Diego De Girolamo
Fullname:Diego Raymond De Girolamo
Birth Date:5 October 1995[1]
Birth Place:Chesterfield, England
Height:[2]
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Buxton
Youthyears1:2002–2012
Youthclubs1:Sheffield United
Years1:2012–2016
Clubs1:Sheffield United
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2014
Clubs2:York City (loan)
Caps2:4
Goals2:3
Years3:2014–2015
Clubs3:York City (loan)
Caps3:4
Goals3:1
Years4:2015
Clubs4:York City (loan)
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:2015
Clubs5:Northampton Town (loan)
Caps5:6
Goals5:0
Years6:2016–2018
Clubs6:Bristol City
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Years7:2017
Clubs7:Cheltenham Town (loan)
Caps7:5
Goals7:1
Years8:2017–2018
Clubs8:Chesterfield (loan)
Caps8:16
Goals8:0
Years9:2018
Clubs9:Macclesfield Town
Caps9:0
Goals9:0
Years10:2018–
Clubs10:Buxton
Caps10:79
Goals10:48
Nationalyears1:2013
Nationalteam1:Italy U18
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2014
Nationalteam2:Italy U19
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2014
Nationalteam3:Italy U20
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:22:47, 19 April 2022 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:18:13, 23 March 2018 (UTC)

Diego Raymond De Girolamo (born 5 October 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Buxton.[3]

De Girolamo came through the youth system at Sheffield United before signing a professional contract. He had three loan spells with League Two club York City during the 2014–15 season. He finished the season on loan with another League Two club, Northampton Town. After being released by United, De Girolamo joined Championship club Bristol City in July 2016, spending the second half of 2016–17 on loan at League Two club Cheltenham Town. Qualifying to represent Italy through his father, he was capped for the under-18, under-19 and under-20 teams.

Early and personal life

De Girolamo was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.[4] His father is Italian, hailing from Naples, thus providing De Girolamo with his eligibility to play for Italy.

Club career

Sheffield United

De Girolamo came through the youth system of Sheffield United from the age of seven, and despite interest from Manchester United and Manchester City, he signed a three-year professional contract with the club at the end of October 2012.[5] At the start of that December, he made his first-team debut in the quarter-final of the Football League Trophy against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.[6] De Girolamo's first league appearance for United came in a victory over Colchester United in February 2013, where he replaced Ryan Flynn as a last minute substitute, providing an assist for Dave Kitson to score the final goal in a 3–0 victory.[7] After one further appearance for United, De Girolamo picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his knee whilst playing for Italy under-18s in March,[8] which kept him out of first-team contention for nine months, not returning to full training until early December 2013.[9] De Girolamo returned to United's first team on 7 October 2014 as they won 2–1 away to Hartlepool United in the Football League Trophy.[10]

De Girolamo joined League Two club York City on 9 October 2014 on a one-month youth loan deal,[11] [12] and scored on his debut two days later with the opening goal of a 3–1 away defeat to Newport County. On 4 November 2014, De Girolamo was recalled early from his loan spell at York City having scored three goals in four matches, so he could be available for United's two upcoming cup fixtures.[13] He made three appearances for United before rejoining York on 26 November 2014 on another youth loan, with the deal expiring on 4 January 2015.[14] De Girolamo scored one goal in four appearances before returning to United, who wanted to strengthen their striking options before considering letting him return to York.[15] He scored his first goal for United as they drew 1–1 away to Preston North End in the fourth round of FA Cup on 24 January 2015, earning a replay at Bramall Lane.[16]

De Girolamo declined a new contract with Sheffield United on 31 January 2015.[17] On 16 February 2015, United manager Nigel Clough confirmed that De Girolamo would be leaving United at the end of the 2014–15 season stating that "he's rejected his contract offer and the chance to stay here... We've got Matt Done who has come in and Marc McNulty is a better player than Diego and he can't get on at the moment."[18] The following day he was loaned to York again, this time for the remainder of 2014–15.[19] Having made four appearances in his third spell with York, he left the club to join their League Two rivals Northampton Town on 19 March 2015 on loan for the rest of 2014–15, explaining that "Northampton play attractive football and express myself by getting on the ball a lot".[20] He made his debut in Northampton's 2–1 away defeat to Bury on 21 March 2015, and finished the loan spell with six appearances. Despite having expressed his desire to leave United, he was offered another new contract by the club in May 2015.[21] De Girolamo signed a new two-year contract with the club on 13 July 2015, having initially rejected a new offer.[22]

Bristol City

De Girolamo was transfer listed by United manager Chris Wilder in May 2016,[23] before leaving by mutual consent in June.[24] On 7 July 2016, he joined Championship club Bristol City to play in their development squad, signing a one-year contract with the option of another year.[25] On 1 January 2017, De Girolamo joined League Two club Cheltenham Town on loan until the end of 2016–17, having struggled to break into the team at Bristol City.[26] He scored his first goals for Cheltenham when he scored a hat-trick in an EFL Trophy tie against Leicester City Under-23s on 10 January 2017.

On 30 August 2017, De Girolamo joined League Two club Chesterfield on loan for 2017–18.[27] His contract with Bristol City was terminated by mutual consent On 31 January 2018.[28] On 22 March 2018, he signed for National League club Macclesfield Town on non-contract terms for the rest of 2017–18.[29]

Diego currently plays for Buxton FC. He won Supporters' Player of the Year 2019–20.

International career

De Girolamo is eligible to represent both England and Italy at international level, prompting a tug-of-war between the England and Italy under-18 sides for his services. De Girolamo opted for Italy after Italian football legend Arrigo Sacchi personally rang him in a plea for him to represent Italy.[30] In January 2013 De Girolamo was called up by the Italian under-18 team for the Granatkin Memorial,[31] and made his debut as a 68th-minute substitute in a 1–0 victory over Belgium on 6 January 2013.[32] He went on to play in every game in the tournament, scoring twice in two starts during the knock-out phase against Iran and the Czech Republic.[33] De Girolamo earned his second call-up to the under-18s in a friendly match against Austria U-18s on 6 March 2013. De Girolamo scored in the 2–1 defeat, but also sustained suspected ligament damage to his knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.[34]

Following his recovery from injury, he was called up to the Italy under-19 squad for a friendly against Germany under-19s in March 2014, scoring in a 1–1 draw.[35] In September 2014, De Girolamo was called up to the Italy under-20 squad for a four-team friendly tournament to be played that month,[36] appearing against Poland on 9 September.[37]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sheffield United2012–13League One2000001030
2013–14League One0000000000
2014–15League One0041002061
2015–16League One0000100010
Total20411030101
York City (loan)2014–15League Two124124
Northampton Town (loan)2014–15League Two6060
Bristol City2016–17Championship00001010
2017–18Championship000000
Total00001010
Cheltenham Town (loan)2016–17League Two512374
Chesterfield (loan)2017–18League Two1500031181
2017–18[38] National League0000
2018–19[39] NPL Premier Division14242184
2019–20[40] NPL Premier Division261821333122
2020–21[41] NPL Premier Division881021119
2021–22[42] NPL Premier Division312087104027
Total79483100966035
Career total1195315920181015472

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Diego De Girolamo . ESPN FC . 23 March 2018.
  2. Web site: Sheffield United FC player profiles: Diego De Girolamo . Sheffield United F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060703/http://www.sufc.co.uk/team/player-profile/diego-de-girolamo/24 . 4 March 2016 . dead.
  3. Web site: The Buck stops here for ex-Blade Diego – New Buxton man's big ambition | non League Daily.
  4. Web site: Diego De Girolamo . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 23 March 2018.
  5. Web site: Sheffield United: The curious case of Diego de Girolamo.
  6. Web site: Future hope . Sheffield United F.C. . 5 December 2012 . 15 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Blades back in promotion picture . ESPN FC . 16 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131231233240/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/344814/report.html . 31 December 2013 . dead.
  8. Web site: Disappointment for Diego . Sheffield United F.C. . 11 March 2013 . 15 September 2017.
  9. Web site: Diego back in training . Sheffield United F.C. . 5 December 2013 . 15 September 2017.
  10. News: Result: Hartlepool United 1, Sheffield United 2 – Jamal Campbell-Ryce seals United's passage to the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy . Sheffield Star . 7 October 2014 . 23 March 2018.
  11. News: York City sign Sheffield United forward Diego de Girolamo . BBC Sport . 9 October 2014 . 7 June 2016.
  12. News: York City hang on to Cheltenham match-winner Diego De Girolamo . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 1 November 2014 . 26 November 2014.
  13. News: Diego De Girolamo recalled by Sheffield United from loan at York City . The Press . York . 4 November 2014 . 26 November 2014.
  14. Web site: Diego De Girolamo returns . York City F.C. . 26 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160722154359/http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/diego-de-girolamo-returns-2105606.aspx . 22 July 2016 . dead.
  15. News: On-loan Peterborough keeper Bobby Olejnik joins York City with view to permanent move . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 5 January 2015 . 8 January 2015.
  16. News: Sheffield United's Diego De Girolamo grabs Cup draw at Preston . James . McMath . The Guardian . London . 24 January 2015 . 26 January 2015.
  17. News: Sheffield Utd: Jamie Murphy and Terry Kennedy sign new deals . BBC Sport . 31 January 2015 . 7 June 2016.
  18. News: Sheffield United: Diego De Girolamo to exit club in summer . BBC Sport . 16 February 2015 . 7 June 2016.
  19. News: Diego De Girolamo: Sheffield United forward returns to York . BBC Sport . 17 February 2015 . 17 February 2015.
  20. News: With new video: York City boss Russ Wilcox on Diego departure: "Nothing surprises me anymore in football" . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 19 March 2015 . 19 March 2015.
  21. News: Sheffield United: Two more leave the Lane . James . Shield . Sheffield Star . 16 May 2015 . 23 March 2018.
  22. News: Diego De Girolamo: Sheffield United forward signs two-year deal . BBC Sport . 13 July 2015 . 7 June 2016.
  23. News: Sheffield United: The curious case of Diego De Girolamo . Sheffield Star . 24 May 2016 . 23 March 2018.
  24. Web site: Diego departs . Sheffield United F.C. . 24 June 2016 . 15 September 2017.
  25. News: Bristol City sign Diego De Girolamo, Jack Challis, Kodi Lyons-Foster and Shabazz Omofe . Bristol Post . 7 July 2016 . 9 July 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160709103819/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-city-sign-diego-de-girolamo-jack-challis-kodi-lyons-foster-and-shabazz-omofe/story-29487990-detail/story.html . 9 July 2016.
  26. News: Diego De Girolamo and Emmanuel Onariase: Cheltenham Town sign duo on loan . BBC Sport . 1 January 2017 . 1 January 2017.
  27. News: Diego De Girolamo: Chesterfield sign Bristol City striker on loan . BBC Sport . 30 August 2017 . 30 August 2017.
  28. Web site: De Girolamo ends City contract . Adam . Baker . Bristol City F.C. . 31 January 2018 . 23 March 2018.
  29. Web site: Macclesfield sign striker Diego De Girolamo . Macclesfield Town F.C. . 22 March 2018 . 23 March 2018.
  30. News: Sheffield United: Italy legend wins duel for Diego . Sheffield Star . 4 January 2013 . 23 March 2018.
  31. Web site: Diego call up . Sheffield United F.C. . 3 January 2013 . 23 March 2018.
  32. Web site: Belgium – Italy 0:1 (0:0) . Valentin Granatkin Memorial . 23 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130112044609/http://granatkin.com/index.php/en/match-en-7 . 12 January 2013 . dead .
  33. News: Caps to come as Diego scores in 'perfect game' . Sheffield Star . 19 January 2013 . 23 March 2018.
  34. News: Mixed news on injury front . James . Shield . Sheffield Telegraph . 8 March 2013 . 23 March 2018.
  35. News: Martini . Peter . York City sign Italy U19s striker on loan . 15 October 2020 . York Press . 9 October 2014.
  36. Web site: Further call-ups for Blades youngsters . Sheffield United F.C. . 29 August 2014 . 15 September 2017.
  37. Web site: 14° Torneo "Quattro Nazioni" – Italia U20 vs Polonia U20 1–3 . Alessandro . Paoli . Tutto Nazionali . 9 September 2014 . 23 March 2018 . Italian.
  38. Web site: D. De Girolamo . Soccerway . Perform Group . 23 March 2018.
  39. Web site: Buxton | Appearances | Diego DeGirolamo | 2018-2019 | Football Web Pages.
  40. Web site: Buxton | Appearances | Diego DeGirolamo | 2019-2020 | Football Web Pages.
  41. Web site: Buxton | Appearances | Diego DeGirolamo | Football Web Pages.
  42. Web site: Buxton – Appearances – Diego DeGirolamo.