JUVENTUS and Italian football legend Giorgio Chiellini visited both Swan United FC and the Swan Italian Club while in Perth as part of the Serie A club’s high-profile participation in the Calcio Italiano event.

Calcio Italiano involved four of the most successful and widely supported clubs in world football – AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Palermo – who came to Perth for one week in August for friendly matches at Optus Stadium.

It was also a special opportunity for the Swan United FC juniors, families and members of both the football club and the Swan Italian Club to get up close with Giorgio Chiellini – one of the greats of world football.

Chiellini spent time taking photos, signing autographs and meeting Swan United’s junior players and members, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The club welcomed Chiellini alongside Swan United president Ben Kelly, Swan Italian Club president Jason Russo, Swan United’s Cos Coniglio and Midland MLA Steve Catania.

“For our Italian and Juventus community, having a man who captained both Juventus and the Azzurri standing amongst our juniors and members was something very special,” Swan United president Ben Kelly said.

“A champion known around the world for his leadership, toughness, loyalty and passion - qualities that represent everything we love about football.

“From captaining Juventus and Italy to spending an afternoon with our community in the Swan Valley, Chiellini’s career speaks for itself with 561 appearances for Juventus across 17 seasons, 9 consecutive Serie A titles, five Coppa Italia titles, five Italian super cups and 117 appearances for Italy.

“He also captained Italy to victory at UEFA Euro 2020 at Wembley.”

In Perth, Juventus played Inter Milan on August 8 at Optus Stadium in a ‘derby-d’Italia’, losing 2-1 in a thriller.

On August 11 they played Palermo in a ‘Turin-Sicily showdown’ at HBF Park, winning 2-0.

As part of the team’s visit, Swan United coaches also received backstage passes to a Juventus’ open training session.