Francesco Tavano

Infobox Football biography
playername= Francesco Tavano


fullname =
height =
nickname =
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1979|3|2|mf=y
cityofbirth = Caserta
countryofbirth = Italy
position = Striker
currentclub = Livorno Calcio
clubnumber = 10
youthyears = 1997-1999
youthclubs = Fiorentina
years = 1999–2001
2001–2006
2006–2007
2007
2007–
clubs = Rondinella
Empoli
Valencia
→ Roma "(loan)"
Livorno
caps(goals) = 46 (40)
141 (109)
3 (0)
14 (2)
26 (13)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 13:16, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Francesco "Ciccio" Tavano (born 2 March 1979 in Caserta) is an Italian footballer. He is a pacy forward who as well as being prolific, possesses very good passing qualities for a striker. He has been called up to the Italy national football team but hasn't played.

Francesco Tavano is a striker who currently plays for Livorno Calcio of Serie A. On June 30, 2007 he was officially announced by the club and president Roberto Spinelli that he was signed and delivered. Tavano signed a four-year contract with Livorno. Valencia received 6 million euros in return. He wears the number 10 jersey for Livorno that was unretired by the club and granted by Igor Protti as well.

He was the top scorer of his former club Empoli, and was considered one of the stars of the small Tuscan team, which he joined in 2001, as well as one of the most talented Italian youngsters of his generation. During the 2006 January transfer window, several Italian football pundits claimed that Real Madrid were interested in signting Tavano, [ [http://www.tribalfootball.com/january/italnews4060106.html Empoli's Tavano excited by Real Madrid interest] , tribalfootball.com, January 5, 2006] but would eventually sign for Valencia during Summer 2006.

He is a temperamental player and upon moving to Valencia fell out with coaching staff after making statements in the press which led to him being a sub player for the majority of the short stay which he has had. Like most Italian players he has struggled to make a name for himself and hasn't had the opportunity to adapt to Spanish football. Tavano, just like other Italian players who have gone abroad, did not adapt very well at all but the reason was not particularly about his style of play. Tavano returned to Italy for a loan spell with AS Roma due to their lack of recognizable forwards. Now back in Italy he will look to get into Roberto Donadoni's "Azzurri" squad. Tavano has since moved to Livorno, where he has regained his form. [ [http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=583425 EGoal.com - AC Milan - Tavano: We Must Take Our Chances Against Milan] , goal.com, February 12, 2008]

Tavano has also played for Rondinella (1999/2000 and 2000/2001, both times in Serie C2).

He was injured on the eve of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, meaning he could not be considered for the the final Italy squad.

Trivia

Tavano was called "Ciccio-gol" by the Empoli fans.

References