Western United’s Italian star Alessandro Diamanti to hang up his boots

After four seasons in the A-League, a former Italian international who played for more than 20 years as a professional has made the decision to retire.

Western United star Alessandro Diamanti is retiring from professional football. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

A-League star Alessandro Diamanti says he’s a “happy man” after calling time on his decorated career.

The veteran Italian playmaker, who turns 40 next week, is set to make his final appearance for Western United on Saturday night against Perth Glory before retiring from professional football.

“I have always tried to be a footballer of the people, (and) for the people. (and) I have always followed the true values of football … I am a happy man,” said Diamanti, who is set to remain in Australia to take up an academy coaching position with an A-League club.

Capped 17 times for Italy, Diamanti joined United for the club’s inaugural A-League season in 2019, and such was his domination of the competition that he won the Johnny Warren Medal and the Alex Tobin Medal.

He was also United’s first captain and held up the A-League championship trophy with Josh Risdon last season despite not playing in the club’s 2-0 grand final win over Melbourne City because of a knee injury.

Alessandro Diamanti is a ‘happy man’ after announcing his retirement. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Diamanti made more than 550 appearances in a professional career that spanned 23 years and four countries.

Apart from his four-season spell with United, he also had stints with Prato, Empoli, Fucecchio, Albino Leffe, Livorno, Brescia, Bologna, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Palermo and Perugia (Italy), West Ham and Watford (England), and Guangzhou Evergrande (China).

“I haven’t been a 100-trophy player, but I have been a player who felt loved, by my loved ones first and by all the thousands of people who have been following me for more than 20 years,” Diamanti said.

“The love that you fans have constantly always given me has been and is my greatest victory.”

Western United general manager of football Mal Impiombato said Diamanti had been the “catalyst” for the expansion club’s growth “on and off” the field.

“As the inaugural captain of our club, ‘Dia’ helped create the successful foundations here and will go down as a Western United legend and one of the greatest players to grace the A-League,” Impiombato said.

“Italian football fans and supporters of all his clubs will celebrate and remember him fondly, and we are grateful and privileged to have had `Alino’ represent the green and black of Western United.”

Originally published as Western United’s Italian star Alessandro Diamanti to hang up his boots