Italy's star setter Simone Gianelli extends his contract with Trentino Volley until 2020
Trento, Italy, December 23, 2016 – The fans of Italian club Trentino Volley received an early Christmas present on Friday, when the club announced that their star setter Simone Gianelli will be staying in Trento until June 30, 2020.
Trentino Volley discovered the player at a young age and developed him into one of the world’s best setters, who was instrumental in Italy’s silver medal finish at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“What we have reached with Simone is an agreement that makes me look optimistically at the future of this club, because he is a truly unique volleyball player, not only for his technical skills but also for his character” Trentino Volley president Diego Mosna said. “In just a couple of years, he has become an icon for this club and of the work we do every day with our young players, since Gianelli was kind of home grown. We couldn’t receive any better news than this as Christmas is getting closer. This is the present we wanted for our supporters. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.”
Trentino’s extension of Gianelli’s contract represent further testament to the plans of the club to remain as one of the top clubs in the world, following their announcement a month ago of coach Angelo Lorenzetti’s contract extension until 2019.
“I have always felt at home in Trento, and not because it is only a few kilometres away from my hometown Bolzano,” Gianelli said. “I’m very glad to have extended my contract and I’m happy to continue to be part of this club because it has always supported me and they still do that ever day.
“I thank everybody for their trust, from the president to the technical and executive staff, to my team-mates and my supporters. I’m deeply convinced I can still improve and I hope I can contribute to the achievement of the highest goals. Trentino Volleyball is one of the best sports club in Italy and in the world. We’ll work together to pursue ambitious goals.”
Trentino Volley has been a dominant force in the men’s club volleyball level with four Italian League championships, Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup titles, three CEV Champions League titles and a record four-straight FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship titles.
Trentino Volley is the first and only club team in volleyball history to have won a treble – national continental and world championship in the 2010/2011 season.