Ufuk Talay has added one of Australia’s most promising young players to his Wellington Phoenix squad.
Talay has swooped for Australian U-23 representative and former Inter Milan youth Rene Piscopo, with the 21-year-old signing a three-year deal with Phoenix on Friday.
“Ufuk is a fantastic man-manager who knows how to get the best out of you and how you can improve as a footballer,” said Piscopo.
“I looked at the combination of youth and experience here at Wellington and I like the competition for places.
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“It makes you work harder during the week to earn that starting spot.
“It’s been great to meet my new teammates and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
A live-wire winger with plenty of speed and flair, Piscopo has spent the last two seasons playing for Italian club Renate FC.
The Melbourne-born forward scored five goals in 51 appearances for the Serie C outfit, based in Renate, Lombardy.
PLAYER NEWS | ?? Piscopo, announced!
21-year old attacking player, @piscopo_reno, has signed for the club on a three-year deal after completing a medical yesterday.
Read more here ? https://t.co/L72jNxl6RH#StandUpWithYourNix #ERereTeKeo pic.twitter.com/PJY4vFpIvS
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) August 22, 2019
Piscopo represented Italy at U-17 level but switched allegiance back to Australia and starred for Graham Arnold’s U-23 side during their 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers in Cambodia.
“We have some of the best young talent from New Zealand and Australia and Reno is another that possesses overwhelming potential,” Talay said.
“I have long been an admirer of Reno’s having coached him in the Australia U20s and believe he is another youngster that can go on to great things in the Hyundai A-League.”
Piscopo is Phoenix’s 14th new signing and joins Walter Scott, Cameron Devlin and Liam McGing as a crop of Australian talent snared by Talay for his maiden campaign at the helm of the Kiwis.
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