Alessandro Diamanti has only been in the country a fortnight but by the looks of him in pre-season, the Italian star could leave a legacy that lasts a decade.
That’s according to Western United head coach Mark Rudan, who is among those left stunned by the 36-year-old’s performance on the training pitch during the club’s pre-season training tour of the Gold Coast.
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“The things that he was doing on the training paddock…we just had to sit back and just enjoy the moment,” Rudan told FOX Sports News on Friday.
“He’s a fabulous footballer who has come with the right intentions and obviously wants to come and do well. His attitude is second to none.”
Diamanti – whose CV includes Premier League team West Ham United and Serie A outfits Livorno and Fiorentina – signed a one-year marquee deal with July after an exceptional campaign with Serie B club Livorno in which he scored 10 goals and provided seven assists.
Panagiotis Kone, the club's inaugural marquee signing and a former teammate of Diamanti at Italian clubs Brescia and Bologna – is also winning rave reviews from Rudan.
“Kone is coming with a point to prove too,” Rudan continued.
“They are two fantastic individuals, great on the park and off the park as well. They are very competitive.”
Western United play their first-ever pre-season friendly against Carolina Springs George Cross FC on Thursday, August 21.
