Paolo De Ceglie Italian footballer, defender Date of Birth: 17.09.1986 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Career
2. Juventus Debut and Loan to Siena
3. Return to Juventus and Rise to Prominence
4. International Debut and Success

Early Life and Career

Paolo De Ceglie, an iconic Italian footballer, began his journey at the esteemed Juventus youth academy. Initially showcasing his skills in youth tournaments, he notably scored a hat-trick in the Supercoppa Primavera final against Inter Milan.

Juventus Debut and Loan to Siena

De Ceglie's official Juventus debut came on November 6, 2006, as a substitute for Nicola Legrottaglie in a match against Napoli. He marked his second appearance with his debut goal against Chievo. During his time in Serie B, De Ceglie played eight matches for Juventus.

In June 2007, he was loaned to Siena, the club that shared ownership of the player. His impressive performance during the 2007-08 season prompted Juventus to exercise their buyback option for €3.5 million.

Return to Juventus and Rise to Prominence

Under manager Ciro Ferrara, De Ceglie's appearances were limited. However, in the second half of the 2009-10 season, injuries forced Alberto Zaccheroni to grant De Ceglie more opportunities in the starting lineup.

International Debut and Success

On December 12, 2006, De Ceglie earned his debut for the Italy under-21 team in a match against Luxembourg, coming on as a substitute for Lupoli.

2008 proved to be a breakout year for De Ceglie. He emerged as one of the standout players at the Toulon Tournament and made a significant contribution to Italy's performance at the Beijing Olympics.