Christian Esposito signs for MetroStars from Italian professional leagues

CHRISTIAN Esposito served his soccer apprenticeship facing superstars Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli - now he is back in SA to bolster MetroStars title bid.

19/03/15 - MetroStars Soccer Club has signed Christian Esposito for the Premer League Soccer season. Photo Tom Huntley

CHRISTIAN Esposito served his soccer apprenticeship facing superstars like Andrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli and Paul Pogba.

During six years plying his trade in Italy’s professional leagues, the SA-born winger played superpowers Juventus and Inter Milan in friendlies and youth team games.

“Playing against these big players was like a different world and very beautiful,” Esposito, 24, says.

“I remember the last match against Juventus I was marking (French star) Pogba which was unbelievable.

“Playing against Serie A players you can see the difference (in quality).”

Struck down by injury and released by Serie B club Novara last April, Esposito returned to SA for a two-month training stint with A-League club Adelaide United.

After a contract with the Reds failed to materialise, the Rostrevor resident signed with MetroStars earlier this year to ignite the Klemzig-based club’s SA Premier League title charge.

“I’m so happy to be back and now I want to win everything with MetroStars and try to help the team was much as I can.

“Metro is like a family - the training is beautiful, the coach is awesome and the guys are fantastic.”

Esposito moved to Italy aged three with his mother, Maria, after his parents separated.

He was spotted by Bergamo club Albino Leffe aged 13 and rose through the club’s youth ranks to make his first team debut in 2008/09.

The speedy wideman was signed by Novara in 2010 and was loaned out to a string of fourth-tier clubs to gain experience, winning Serie C2 promotion with Catanzaro in 2012.

“Every year playing professionally you get the bad and the good,” he says.

“You improve a lot as a player training under different coaches.

“But if you don’t play well you are straight on the bench and if someone else plays better than you, they will take your spot.”

Bone bruising on his shin has kept Esposito on the sidelines this season, but he hopes to return to action next month.

Happily reunited with his father, Joe, he aims to catch the eye of an A-League club this season.

“I came back because I was missing Adelaide - even though I lived in Italy more than 20 years, I was coming here on holidays all the time.

“I just want to play football again and enjoy it.”