Salvatore Bocchetti

Salvatore Bocchetti, also known as Sasa, is a center back for Spartak Moscow. He was born on 30 November, 1986 in Naples. Salvatore made his first steps in amateur football at Piedimonte d’Alife youth academy, which participated in regional football tournaments.

At the age of thirteen he entered the football academy of Ascoli Calcio. After a while Bocchetti signed for his alma mater Ascoli’s senior squad. And although Sasa joined the club in 2004, he failed to get into the starting lineup and was sent out on loan to Lanciano a year later. In 2007 Ascoli loaned Bocchetti to Frosinone. After the loan spell ended, Frosinone bought 50% of the rights to the player, and young Salvatore stayed at the Canarini for another year. In 2008 Bocchetti moved to Genoa, and by the end of 2010 scored 1 goal in 60 appearances for the club.

In 2010 Salvatore Bocchetti joined Rubin Kazan for €15 million and helped his club to win the bronze of Russian Premier League. In January 2013 Salvatore penned a new contract with Spartak Moscow.

From 2007 to 2009 Salvatore Bocchetti defended Italy U-20 and U-21 colors. And in 2008 Sasa won 9 caps for Olympic Italy in Beijing. In 2009 Bocchetti debuted in the ranks of the Italian national team. Since then he won 5 caps for Squadra Azzurra.