25.10.2023 18:25 h

Former bricklayer Gatti continues Juve 'dream' until 2028

Federico Gatti took another step on his rise from amateur football and manual labour on Wednesday after renewing his Juventus contract until 2028.

In a short statement Juve said that Italy international Gatti had signed a new deal "until 30 June 2028" which according to Italian media is worth 1.5 million euros a season.

The 25-year-old worked as a bricklayer and in other blue collar jobs while rising up through the divisions, only becoming a professional player three years ago in Italy's third tier.

"Every morning on my way to training I pass by the house where I grew up and where my family and my grandfather lived," said Gatti.

"Passing by it makes me think back. I was 20 years old when I started leaving home for football and I never thought I would come back to Turin.

"But instead I did come back, to Juve, every day is a dream."

Juventus bought Gatti in January last year from Frosinone, then in Serie B, and he has since established himself as a first-team player, making 27 appearances in all competitions last season.

This term Gatti, who has two international caps, has started six of Juve's nine league matches, scoring in the 2-0 derby win over Torino earlier this month.