Joeys star offered Lazio deal

Fresh from helping Australia reach the semi-finals of the Asian Under-16 championships in Uzbekistan late last year, Gallifuoco asked for his contract with the Australian Institute of Sport to be terminated so he could embark on a European odyssey in search of a professional career.

And after a 14-day trial in Rome with Lazio, the 17-year-old midfielder was offered terms to play for the club’s under-21 ‘Primavera’ side.

But Gallifuoco, whose Italian parents own a coffee shop in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, has not put pen on paper yet because he wants to wait for the outcome of another seven-day trial with Serie A rival Chievo Verona starting on Friday.

Lazio’s offer will remain open for two months.

Either way Gallifuoco, who also has an Italian passport that will make it easy for Lazio or Chievo to sign him, will shortly realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Gallifuoco has never been paid to play football in Australia but he now can look forward to an annual package of just under $100,000 that will include a living allowance.

"I’m thrilled. I was supposed to trial for a week but Lazio told me they wanted me for another week," Gallifuoco told The World Game.

"After that they told me they would like me to stay and offered me a contract.

"It was great to be able to have a training game with the first team during last week’s international break.

"Imagine, on my side was Mauro Zarate and on the other side were Cristian Brocchi and Mark Bresciano.

"Bresh is a very nice guy and he told me I’m a good player and that I should keep going and try to stay in Italy."

Gallifuoco’s immediate future should be known inside a fortnight after his trial with Chievo.

"At this stage I’m not sure where I might be playing but if both clubs offered me the same deal I think I would go for Chievo because in Verona it would be less difficult for me to break into the first team," Gallifuoco said.

"Ring me in two weeks and I might be able to give you some good news."