Primavera Profile: Nine things you need to know about Andrea Romagnoli

The feature telling us more about Alberto De Rossi's title-winning youth team members in their own words is back...

Today it's the turn of goalkeeper Andrea Romagnoli, who was part of last season's Scudetto-winning squad and was subsequently invited on the senior squad's pre-season tour of the United States this summer.

Here are nine facts you might not know about him...

1. “My earliest football memory is the first time I ever watched my brother play for Civitavecchia, the town where we grew up. He was playing in defence and I was five years old. From that moment on I was passionate about this sport.”

2. “My first idols weren't Serie A players or international stars, but everyone in the Civitavecchia Calcio squad playing in Serie D. I remember being the ball boy when I was young and seeing these players fight for the town in every game. I particularly liked the goalkeeper; he was called Baroncini.”

3. “I started to play football when I was five years old. I didn't do any other sports before, just a bit of swimming with my mum who taught me how to swim.”

4. “My granddad was the most important person for my career. It was thanks to him I became a goalkeeper because initially I played further forward. I didn't have a fixed position, since we'd rotate around as little kids. He told my coach at the time to put me in goal because I was taller than the rest. I fell in love with the position right there and then. I did well and I continued playing there.”

5. “I was an Inter fan when I was young, like everyone in my family. I followed the team closely when Jose Mourinho was in charge. Now football has become a profession for me, I just think about performing for my team – Roma.”

6. “As a goalkeeper, I think one of my strengths is coming off the line, both to claim high balls and diving low. On the other hand, I have to improve with the ball at my feet.”

7. “My role model is David De Gea, the Spain and Manchester United keeper. I like everything about how he plays: he's good with his feet, great between the sticks and above all he has great character.”

8. “The best player of all time? I would say Diego Maradona, but since I never saw him live and have only watched past footage of him, I'll say Lionel Messi instead. He's constantly inventing something out of nothing and scoring goals that only he can pull off.”

9. “My main aim at the moment is making my debut in Serie A for Roma. As for the future, I dream of winning the Scudetto and an international trophy, both at club level and for Italy.”