PERTH Glory forward Jacob Italiano returned to his amateur club Inglewood United ahead of the Play Football Round next week.
Italiano, who made his Glory debut in 2017 at the age of 16, said he had always dreamed of playing for Perth Glory.
“I grew up in Perth and have supported the club from a young age watching pretty much every home game live and every away game on TV, so I’ve always been a big supporter and to be able to represent the club and play for the fans is massive for me,” he said.
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READ NOWThe aim of the Play Football Round, which aligns with the A-League Round 18 and week one of the finals series of the W-League, is to encourage young people to join a soccer team.
Italiano said he had been playing soccer for as long as he could remember.
“I enjoy football because it’s a great way to get to express yourself on the pitch,” he said.
“Any troubles or problems that you may or may not have don’t matter on the pitch and when the ball is at your feet it’s just a really nice way to be able to express yourself and do it with a smile on your face.”
Italiano’s advice to aspiring professional soccer players?
“Make sure whatever you do you do it with a smile on your face and always have belief in yourself. You never know who is watching and when they are watching so if in every training session and every game, do your best and that will give you your best chance of making it on a national or even international stage.”
Visit playfootball.com.au to register for an upcoming season.