Giorgio Chiellini (born August 14, 1984 in Pisa) is an Italian footballer who currently plays for Juventus of the Italian Serie A. He is a centre back who has also played left back.

Club career

Chiellini started his career with Livorno where he played for two years each in Serie C1 and Serie B.

He was signed by Juventus in summer 2004, for €6.5 million, but immediately sold on co-ownership deal to Fiorentina for €3.5 million, where he played for 2004–05 season.

After an excellent first season in Serie A, Chiellini was recalled by Juventus for the 2005–06 season, where Juventus paid €4.3 million for full-ownership. He has been a regular fixture in the Bianconeri backline in their return to Serie A and was named "Man of the Match" in a game against Inter Milan when he won a physical and heated duel with ex-Juve teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović, allowing the in-form hitman no goals. Chiellini extended his original contract from until 2009 to 2011 on October 12, 2006.

International career

Chiellini made his debut for the Italian national team in November 2004 against Finland, and has since become a regular squad member. He won the European Under-19 Championship with Italy in 2003, and was also a member of the Italy team that won the bronze medals at the football tournament of the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was named in the ‘UEFA Team of the tournament’ of the 2007 U-21 Championships held in the Netherlands where they qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Teams and clubs

• 2000-2002: Livorno
• 2002-2004: Livorno co-ownership with Roma
• 2004-2005: Fiorentina co-ownership with Juventus
• 2005-present: Juventus