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Football really is a funny old game after struggling Parma signed 52-year-old Italian comedian Gene Gnocchi until the end of the season.
Gnocchi, an off-the-pace midfield playmaker, has been snapped up on a two-month contract as he hopes to complete his dream of playing in Serie A.
The entertainer, who appears on popular Sunday television show ‘Quelli Che Il Calcio’ with Simona Ventura, made an appeal in November to be given at least five minutes of action in the Italian top flight.
Gnocchi has since then spent time training with numerous outfits including Atalanta, Bologna, Siena and Torino, but finally reached a sensational agreement with the Ducali, who registered his contract with the Lega Calcio on Friday.
The popular figure, who is also a Parma supporter, will be paid just over £1,000 a month after putting pen to paper on a minimum wage deal.
Gnocchi, whose appeal was supported by numerous players including Alessandro Del Piero of Juventus, is now hoping to be granted some playing time in the first team.
However, that may be problematic when you take into consideration Parma’s perilous Serie A position.
The Tardini boys are currently second from bottom in Serie A and only netted their first win since Claudio Ranieri’s arrival against Siena last weekend.
It seems likely that Gnocchi would only be given his debut once Parma’s Serie A status was assured.
