Gennaro Gattuso

Gennaro Ivan Gattuso was born January 9, 1978 in Corigliano Calabro. He is frequently nicknamed Rino and Ringhio. Gattuso started his career at the Italian side Perugia, but transferred in July 1997 at the age of 19 to the Scottish team Rangers. Gattuso won the admiration of Rangers fans while in Glasgow, and his 'ultra-aggressive' playing technique has been put down to the training he received there. He also credits the one-time Rangers manager Walter Smith as a great influence, and describes him as a 'second father'.

Smith's successor as Rangers' manager, Dick Advocaat, did not prefer Gattuso in the team. After being played 'out-of-position' as a right-back, Gattuso was sold in October 1998 to Salernitana for £3m.

Milan spent £8m on Gattuso ten months later. His footballing ability has since improved since moving to a more pass-orientated Milan side. The current high profile Gattuso now enjoys is due to his time at Milan and his participation as part of the Italian national squad. He has been capped over twenty times for his country and played in the 2000 Summer Olympics, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.

In December 2005, at the final whistle of Milan's 3-2 defeat of Schalke 04 in the UEFA Champions League, Gattuso was seen seeking out and taunting Schalke's midifelder Christian Poulsen[1].

Gattuso still has links to Glasgow after marrying long-time girlfriend Paula Romano, whom he met while in the city.[citation needed]

Gattuso has recently expressed a desire to move to English Premier League giants Manchester United. The club are currently in pursuit of an aggressive midfielder following the departure of trademark hardman and club legend Roy Keane.