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Christian Signorelli

Christian “Giuseppe” Signorelli (born 2nd of August 2004) is an Italian semi professional player, who plays as a goalkeeper for the St George Association club, All Saints Oatley West as well as the Marist College Penshurst soccer club.

Coming through the team's youth system, Signorelli began his career with Forest Rangers in 2010, becoming the youngest midfielder ever to debut for the club, aged 9 years and 242 days; he immediately broke into the starting line-up, earning a reputation as arguably the most promising young attacking midfielder in the St George Association at the time. In 2013, Signorelli helped Peakhurst secure a first place finish in the 2013–14 Under 10 St George Association competition. He was also named St George Association’s Best attacking midfielder of the Year, Peakhurst United Most Improved Player and also won the Alex Vandarakis Trophy. After 5 years with Peakhurst United, Signorelli moved to the St George Association side All Saints Oatley West in March 2018 on a free transfer, to which he solidified the switch to the position of goalkeeper.

Club career
2010 – 2012: Youth career: Signorelli grew up in the football academy of Forest Rangers Football Club in his native suburb of mortdale. In 2010, at the age of 6, he was signed on a free transfer to Forest Rangers, the team for which his father, Paolo Signorelli had negotiated to sign him with. Between 2010 and 2012, he played as a striker or attacking midfielder, to which he assisted and scored many goals in both the 2010 - 2011 and 2011 - 2012 season. In March 2013, Signorelli signed his first professional contract with Peakhurst United, effective from April 2013 until 30 October 2017.

2013 – 2017: Immediate breakthrough into starting eleven: At the beginning of the 2013–14 season, Signorelli signed to the Peakhurst United Football Club team by manager Alex Vandarkis, initially as the first choice attacking midfielder behind Andrew Tsiknis and Dion Vandarakis. During Peakhurst’s pre-season tour of Sydney, he made his debut in a friendly match against his former club Forest Rangers on 5th of April. Replacing Abbas Alley in the 12th minute, he scored 1 goal and assisted 2. His subsequent starting appearance against Connells Point Rovers saw him score 2 goals and contribute a record breaking amount of assists of 7 in one match, to which they won 13-0.

Signorelli continued playing in the St George Association and on 25 June against Kogarah Waratahs at Peakhurst Park; chosen to start ahead of Abbas Alley he helped the team achieve a 3–1 victory after three matches without a win. The following season (2014-2015) he played 16 matches, to which he started in all games. He scored 5 goals and 19 assists that season, achieving a goal and assist contribution rate of 24 (GA) out of 16 matches. At the age of 11 years and 242 days, he was the second-youngest attacking midfielder to start a match in the history of the St George Football Association; 13 days older than Andrew Tsiknis, who coincidentally made his St George Football Association debut with Peakhurst United on the very same date. Alex Vandarakis subsequently hailed him as "the future of Peakhurst United and of Australian football". After multiple promising years at Peakhurst United, many of the key players who once called Peakhurst home departed. This led to a year known as the “Dark Ages”, leading to a subsequent relegation to the second division. Here immediate change was necessary and switched his position to the goalkeeper. He kept his first clean sheet three days later in a 1–0 win against Bexley North. After three successive victories in the 2016-17 season, featuring Signorelli in the starting line-up, Peakhurst avoided a defeat against Carss Park as a result of an impressive display from their goalkeeper; "Signorelli worked miracles," commented the George River Newspaper. His performances that year earned him a place among the top 25 of Don Balón's ranking of the St George Football Association. He then later signed for All Saints Oatley West on a free transfer for the 2018-19 season.

2018 – Present: Established first-choice goalkeeper: In the club's opening league match of the 2018–19 season against Bexley North, on 21 April, Signorelli saved the first penalty of his professional career; he stopped Jackson Katrib’s shot with 5 minutes to go, which enabled ASOW to seal a 3–3 draw at home. He kept his first clean sheet of the season in the 1–0 victory against Connells Point Rovers on the 16th of June. The following season (2019/2020), Signorelli’s quality form really began to show, helping ASOW secure a victory in the opening game of the season, saving Thomas Crnjak’s penalty in a 4–3 shoot-out win following a 1–1 draw after extra time. After a breakout season from Signorelli, ASOW finished 3rd on the table, qualifying for the state cup in the following season. On 15th of June 2019, it was initially announced that Signorelli would not be renewing his contract with ASOW, however on 11 July, after much speculation, he renewed with ASOW until 2021. Under the terms of a new contract, negotiated by agent Paolo Signorelli on behalf of the player, Signorelli’s annual salary included a free sausage roll and drink from the club's canteen every week; the deal also included a verbal agreement to be made captain of the club in the near future.

The 2020-21 season began late, due to the global pandemic that swept across the world. This intern would delay a start to the season, however once it started ASOW and Signorelli reached a new level of form. Signorelli kept multiple clean sheets during the season, most notably saving a penalty to secure the minor premiership against Connells Point Rover player Finn Stoychevski. After an array of dominant performances throughout the season from Signorelli and ASOW, they reached the Grand Final. Unfortunately, after a great season from Signorelli, he conceded 3 goals, which inevitably cost them the final. In the 2021-22 season, Signorelli really shined. After having the burden and pressure of last season's demise, Signorelli improved drastically, leading to ASOW sitting in first on the ladder for the U17 Academy A's, mid season. After an unfortunate loss in the first round of the state cup, Covid spread across Australia again, seizing the remainder of the 2021 season. The 2022 season saw Signorelli sign a one year contract extension with the exception that he was appointed captain. On the 2nd of April, Signorelli led his side out at Peakhurst Park, the famous notorious ground which he once dominated on and faced the Arncliffe Aurora Football Club. However, with only 10 players, ASOW produced a lacklustre performance, losing 11-0. Signorelli is still leading the side, which is currently sitting at the bottom of the ladder after 3 games, struggling to find form.

On the 4th of June, Signorelli made his SGFA Premier League 2 debut. Signorelli received the call-up as both the first grade and reserve grade goalkeepers were injured. He led the team in a 2-1 victory.

Style of play
Long considered one of Australia's most exciting prospects, and one of the most promising young footballers of his generation, Signorelli is widely regarded as the successor to Paolo Signorelli. Paolo himself has in turn praised the teenager's physical strength and technical abilities, mental composure and decision making. Predicting an "extraordinary career" in his future, he commended Signorelli's maturity and ability to cope with the pressures of switching from a midfielder to a goalkeeper at such a young age. Another of Australia's Word Class managers, Tory Brustolin, similarly said Signorelli seems "predestined to become a great goalkeeper," adding that "it all depends completely on him." Former ASOW and Dulwich Hill midfielder James Apostolas also described Signorelli as a potentially world-class goalkeeper, applauding him for his discipline, intelligence, concentration, and professionalism, despite his young age.

Personal life
Signorelli was born in Mortdale, Sydney, Australia, the son of Paolo and Liliana. Since childhood, he has supported Peakhurst United, although he grew up idolising Sergio Agüero. He attends Marist Catholic College Penshurst as a Year 12 Student, his favourite subject being mathematics. In his spare time, Signorelli enjoys a casual 3km swim of Bondi Beach, as well as playing playstation 5 with his mates.

Honours
Forest Rangers
 * Participation Award (2011)

Peakhurst United
 * 2x St George Association’s Best Attacking Midfielder of the Year (2013, 2014)
 * Peakhurst United Most Improved Player (2013)
 * Alex Vandarakis Trophy (2015)
 * Peakhurst United 5 Year Trophy

All Saints Oatley West
 * St George Associations Best Goalkeeper (2021)
 * 2x Minor Premiers (2020, 2021)
 * Grand Finals Runners Up (2020)