Raffaele De Vita Explained

Raffaele De Vita
Fullname:Raffaele De Vita
Birth Date:23 September 1987
Birth Place:Rome, Italy
Position:Winger / Midfielder
Currentclub:Anagni
Youthyears1:2004–2008
Youthclubs1:Blackburn Rovers
Years1:2008–2011
Clubs1:Livingston
Caps1:69
Goals1:22
Years2:2011–2013
Clubs2:Swindon Town
Caps2:74
Goals2:12
Years3:2013–2014
Clubs3:Bradford City
Caps3:20
Goals3:1
Years4:2014
Clubs4:Cheltenham Town
Caps4:10
Goals4:3
Years5:2015–2016
Clubs5:Ross County
Caps5:33
Goals5:3
Years6:2016–2021
Clubs6:Livingston
Caps6:56
Goals6:6
Years7:2019
Clubs7:Partick Thistle (loan)
Caps7:9
Goals7:1
Years8:2020
Clubs8:Falkirk (loan)
Caps8:7
Goals8:0
Years9:2020 - 2021
Clubs9:Edinburgh City (loan)
Caps9:19
Goals9:3
Years10:2021-2022
Clubs10:Lupa Frascati
Caps10:1
Goals10:0
Years11:2022-
Clubs11:Anagni
Club-Update:23:05, 25 November 2021 (UTC)

Raffaele De Vita (born 23 September 1987) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Italian side Anagni. De Vita started his career with Blackburn Rovers, and has also played for Swindon Town, Bradford City, Cheltenham Town, Ross County, Partick Thistle, Falkirk, Edinburgh City, and Livingston.

Career

Born in Rome, Italy, De Vita grew up supporting Lazio and idolised Paolo Di Canio, who later coached him when he joined Swindon Town. De Vita began his career at a boys club in Rome, it has previously been reported as being the Roma academy, which was ironic, due to the fact De Vita supported Roma's rivals, Lazio - De Vita himself set these rumours straight in an interview with The Athletic) until he was scouted by Blackburn Rovers, which he said came "out of nowhere".[1]

De Vita began his career with Blackburn Rovers but did not make an appearance for the first team. He joined Scottish club Livingston in July 2008.[2] At one point, De Vita considered quitting Livingston, as a result of the club entering administration, but continued to play for the club, after Gary Bollan had come in as manager and he had regained his fitness.[3] He made his debut on 14 February 2009 against St Johnstone,[4] and the following week scored his first goal against Dundee.[5] At the end of the 2010–11 season, during which he helped the club win promotion to the Scottish First Division, De Vita was among seven players to be released by the club despite becoming a fans' favourite.[6] [7] During his career at Livingston, he made 67 league appearances and scored 22 goals.

Swindon Town

In June 2011, he signed for Swindon Town on a two-year contract.[8]

He made his debut on 6 August, in a 3–0 win against Crewe Alexandra, ensuring new manager Paolo di Canio's first competitive game in charge of Swindon ended with a win.[9] He scored his first goal for the club on 24 August, in a 1–0 win against Championship side Bristol City in the League Cup.[10] He scored his first league goal for the club on 24 September, opening the scoring in a 4–0 win against Barnet.[11] He followed this up with goals against Hereford United,[12] Plymouth Argyle,[13] Huddersfield Town[14] and Morecambe[15] to finish his debut season with six goals,[16] and helped Swindon to win the League Two title.[17]

He made his first appearance of the 2012–13 season on 14 August in a 3–0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup.[18] He scored his first goal of the season a week later, with Swindon now in League One, in a 3–0 win against Crawley Town.[19] After scoring in a defeat to Preston North End,[20] he then scored in back-to-back games in October, in a 2–1 defeat to Crewe and a 4–0 victory against Stevenage.[21] [22] In December 2012, he then scored twice in a 2–0 win against Oldham Athletic,[23] before scoring again in the following game, a 5–0 win against Tranmere Rovers.[24] He then scored his final goal of the season on 5 January 2013, in a 4–0 win against Carlisle United.[25] He helped Swindon to finish in the play-off positions, and played in the second leg of the semi-final against Brentford, which finished 3–3, leaving the tie 4–4 on aggregate, with Brentford then going on to win the penalty shoot-out 5–4.[26] He was then released by the club along with five other players, at the end of the season.[27]

Bradford City

After training with the club for over two weeks,[28] and scoring as a trialist in a 4–0 win in a pre-season game against Guiseley[29] De Vita signed for Bradford City on a one-year contract on 30 July 2013.[30]

He made his debut on 3 August on the opening day of the season in a 2–2 draw against Bristol City, and assisted Rory McArdle's later equaliser.[31] He scored his first goal for the club on 26 October, opening the scoring in a 2–1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[32] However, De Vita's first team opportunities were soon limited, due to a thigh injury that kept him out for months.[33] After months on the sidelines, De Vita made his first team return on 11 April 2014, coming on as a substitute for Matthew Dolan in the 77th minute, in a 0–0 draw against Rotherham United.[34]

After making twenty-three appearances and scoring once in all competitions by the end of the 2013–14 season, De Vita's contract with the club expired and he was invited back for pre-season training in the hope of earning a new deal.[35] However, it was made clear that De Vita would not return to Bradford City following the conclusion of the club's pre-season friendly matches.[36]

Cheltenham Town

De Vita joined Cheltenham Town on a three-month contract on 25 September 2014.[37] De Vita made his Cheltenham Town debut two days later, coming on as a substitute for John Marquis in the 83rd minute, in a 1–0 loss against Burton Albion on 27 September 2014.[38]

After making thirteen appearances for the club during the first half of the season, De Vita was released by the club after the expiry of his contract in late-December.[39]

Ross County

On 30 January 2015, De Vita signed for Scottish Premiership club Ross County.[40] On his debut for the club, he scored the winning goal in a 3–2 victory over Motherwell on 14 February 2015.[41] Seven days later he scored again, this time against Partick Thistle at Firhill, as the Staggies secured a 3–1 away victory.[42] On 12 April 2015, De Vita was named as SPFL Player of the Month for March 2015.[43]

With his impressive displays helping Ross County avoid relegation, De Vita signed a new contract in May 2015, keeping him at the club until 2017.[44] He scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season in a League Cup match, as Ross County thrashed Falkirk 7–0 on 22 September 2015.[45] On 30 June 2016, De Vita was released by Ross County, despite his contract still having a year left.[46]

Livingston return

After being without a club for four months, De Vita signed on for his second spell with Scottish League One side Livingston in October 2016.[47]

Loans from Livingston

De Vita joined Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle on a season long Loan for the 2019/20 season. De Vita scored his first goal for Thistle in a 3-2 league defeat away to Morton.[48] De Vita scored his second goal for the Jags in a 2–0 win at home to Welsh side Connah Quay Nomands in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[49] Livingston recalled De Vita from his loan spell on New Year's Day 2020.[50] The same day Falkirk announced they had signed him on loan until the end of the season;[51] [52] a season which ended early due to the covid-19 pandemic.

He was loaned to Edinburgh City in October 2020.[53] De vita was released by Livingston at the end of the 2020-21 season.[54]

Return to Italy

De Vita signed for Anagni in 2022.[55]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Livingston2008–09Scottish First Division7100000071
2009–10Scottish Third Division2994[56] 200003311
2010–11Scottish Second Division331210101[57] 03612
Total69225210107624
Swindon Town2011–12Football League Two38441113[58] 0466
2012–13Football League One36810202[59] 0418
Total74125131508714
Bradford City2013–14Football League One201101010231
2014–15Football League One0000000000
Total201101010231
Cheltenham Town2014–15Football League Two100200010130
Ross County2014–15Scottish Premiership143000000143
2015–16Scottish Premiership190412100252
Total333412100395
Livingston2016–17Scottish League One233200021274
2017–18Scottish Championship30300624[60] 1406
2018–19Scottish Premiership3000000030
2020–21Scottish Premiership00000000
Total5662062627010
Career total2624419413414230854

Honours

Livingston

2009–10

2010–11

2016–17[61]

Swindon Town

2011–12

Ross County

2015–16[63]

Individual

March 2015[43]

Notes and References

  1. News: Cheltenham Town forward Raffaele De Vita: I may be Italian, but I'm an English footballer. Gloucestershire Echo. 10 October 2014. 9 July 2015.
  2. News: Livi hand contracts to trialists. BBC. BBC Sport. 13 July 2008. 25 August 2011.
  3. News: De Vita: I almost quit but now I'm ready to fire Livi back up leagues. Daily Record. 17 September 2014. 9 July 2015.
  4. News: St Johnstone 1-0 Livingston. . 14 February 2009 . 28 January 2022.
  5. News: Dundee 4-1 Livingston. . 21 February 2009 . 28 January 2022.
  6. News: De Vita admits mixed emotions on final Livi appearance. Daily Record. 11 May 2011. 9 July 2015.
  7. News: Livingston free seven stars ahead of return to Division One. Daily Record. 5 May 2011. 9 July 2015.
  8. Web site: Swindon Town sign up striker Raffaele De Vita . BBC Sport . 23 June 2011 . 17 November 2013.
  9. Web site: Swindon 3–0 Crewe . BBC Sport . 6 August 2011 . 17 November 2013.
  10. Web site: Bristol City 0–1 Swindon . BBC Sport . 24 August 2011 . 17 November 2013.
  11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14958062 "Swindon 4–0 Barnet"
  12. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15135331 "Swindon 3–3 Hereford"
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15319592 "Plymouth 0–1 Swindon"
  14. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15604922 "Swindon 4–1 Huddersfield"
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16123918 "Swindon 3–0 Morecambe"
  16. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51108&season_id=141 "Raffaele De Vita Football Stats Season 2011/2012"
  17. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17795329 "Swindon 5–0 Port Vale"
  18. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19159798 "Swindon 3–0 Brighton"
  19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19252251 "Swindon 3–0 Crawley Town"
  20. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19384102 "Preston 4–1 Swindon"
  21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19958279 "Crewe 2–1 Swindon"
  22. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20014225 "Stevenage 0–4 Swindon"
  23. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20650169 "Oldham 0–2 Swindon"
  24. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20723139 "Swindon 5–0 Tranmere"
  25. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20863566 "Swindon 4–0 Carlisle"
  26. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22334380 "Brentford 3–3 Swindon (Agg 4–4)"
  27. http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/swindontown/news/10409484.print/ "Robins release retained list"
  28. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/10576721.Bradford_City_close_to_deal_for_De_Vita/ "Bradford City close to deal for De Vita"
  29. http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/guiseley-vs-bradford-859546.aspx "City start with comfortable friendly win"
  30. Web site: De Vita deal confirmed. Bradford City A.F.C.. 30 July 2013. 9 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194618/http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/de-vita-954013.aspx. 29 October 2013. live.
  31. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23474900 "Bristol City 2–2 Bradford"
  32. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24590612 "Bradford City 1–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers"
  33. Web site: Parkinson planning for Peterborough. Bradford City A.F.C.. 19 December 2013. 9 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709131334/http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/parkinson-ahead-of-peterborough-1245873.aspx. 9 July 2015. live.
  34. News: Rotherham United 0 – 0 Bradford City. BBC Sport. 11 April 2014. 9 July 2015.
  35. Web site: DE VITA INVITED BACK FOR TRAINING. Bradford City A.F.C.. 18 June 2014. 9 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140801023849/http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/de-vita-invited-back-for-training-1648247.aspx. 1 August 2014. live.
  36. Web site: URWIN EXTENDS HIS STAY. Bradford City A.F.C.. 2 September 2013. 9 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709133447/http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/urwin-signs-new-deal-1891330.aspx. 9 July 2015. live.
  37. News: Raffaele De Vita: Cheltenham Town sign Italian midfielder. BBC Sport. 25 September 2014. 25 September 2014.
  38. News: Burton Albion 1 – 0 Cheltenham Town. BBC Sport. 27 September 2014. 9 July 2015.
  39. Web site: Raffa De Vita leaves Cheltenham Town. Cheltenham Town F.C.. 27 December 2014. 9 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150101202940/http://www.ctfc.com/news/article/cheltenham-town-raffaele-de-vita-paul-buckle-2166992.aspx. 1 January 2015. live.
  40. Web site: Ross County add Ruben Palazuelos and Raffaele De Vita. BBC Sport. 30 January 2015. 14 February 2015.
  41. Web site: Scottish Premiership: Ross County beat Motherwell 3–2 in basement battle. Sky Sports. 14 February 2015. 14 February 2015.
  42. Web site: Partick Thistle 1–3 Ross County. BBC Sport. Lamont. Alasdair. 21 February 2015. 12 April 2015.
  43. Web site: Ross County: Raffaelle De Vita takes March player award. BBC Sport. 12 April 2015. 12 April 2015.
  44. News: County tie up Raffaele De Vita and Rocco Quinn on deals. BBC Sport. 23 May 2015. 9 July 2015.
  45. Web site: Ross County 7–0 Falkirk. BBC Sport. Dowden. Martin. 22 September 2015.
  46. Web site: Ross County release Raffaele De Vita from contract early. BBC Sport. 30 June 2016. 9 August 2016.
  47. Web site: Rafa's back! . Livingston FC . 18 October 2016 . 18 October 2016.
  48. News: Morton stun Thistle in dramatic comeback. BBC Sport.
  49. News: League Two pair reach last eight. BBC Sport.
  50. Web site: Raffaele de Vita recalled to Livingston.
  51. Web site: Rafa De Vita signs on loan. 1 January 2020. Falkirk FC. 1 January 2020.
  52. Web site: Falkirk: Livingston's Raffaele De Vita joins on loan . 1 January 2020 . 1 January 2020 . BBC Sport .
  53. News: Edinburgh City sign former Falkirk, Blackburn and Swindon midfielder Rafa de Vita on loan from Livingston . David . Oliver . Edinburgh Evening News . 9 October 2020 . 9 October 2020.
  54. Web site: Player Departures . Livingston FC . 18 May 2021 . 18 May 2021.
  55. News: City of Anagni, De Vita is reality: "Here there is a desire to return to certain levels". Gazzetta Regionale. 4 July 2022.
  56. Includes 1 appearance not recorded on Soccerbase or Soccerway. Web site: Queen's Park 1–3 Livingston. BBC Sport. 24 October 2009. 14 February 2015.
  57. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  58. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  59. One appearance in the Football League Trophy and one in the EFL League One play-offs
  60. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances and one goal in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
  61. Web site: Livingston 2–1 Alloa Athletic . Livingston F.C. . 8 April 2017 . 8 April 2017.
  62. News: Starting Lineups - Chesterfield vs Swindon . Sky Sports . 25 March 2012 . 9 March 2024.
  63. Web site: Wilson. Richard. Scottish League Cup Final: Hibernian 1 Ross County 2 . BBC Sport. 14 March 2016. 13 March 2016.