Gianluca Calabretta is making a name for himself with his club Leonzio of Lentini, in Sicily.

Gianluca is the son of Patricia nee Tedesco, former Hamrun FC secretary, and nephew of former Hamrun Spartans president Victor Tedesco. His father is Nello, who was born in Acireale.

In a recent interview with the player in the Sicilian edition of the Corriere dello Sport Stadio, Calabretta was described as a player born in Malta, but also of Italian origin, who has been transformed from a striker to a left flank defender.

Correspondent Gaetano Rizzo wrote that few would do what Gianluca has done to play in Italian football, especially joining a historic and glorious Sicilian club such as Leonzio.

Rizzo said that soon after the youngster received his international clearance, he quickly found a regular place in the Leonzio side, also becoming one of their main assets.

The club this year is fighting for a place in the play-offs in Group B of the Eccellenza championship.

At Leonzio, his coach is Beppe Anastasi who played in Serie A with Lecce and Verona in the past, and in Serie B with Foggia. Later on he also played for Acireale.

After having watched Gianluca during a trial, Anastasi had no doubts about the qualities of the player and it was he who transformed the youngster into a left flank defender where he is leaving quite a good impression.

Apart from playing football in Sicily, Gianluca is also continuing his studies to make it to the University of Malta. But he told Rizzo: “In all truth, my aim is to play football, especially in Italy. In Malta more attention is paid to the physical state of a player, while in Italy, coaches tend to pay more attention to tactics. This is why, in my opinion, many foreigners, prefer to come to play their football in Italy. After all, I feel at home here. I have been received in an exceptional manner by the club’s president, directors, coach, players and supporters. I hope that I will repay them for having shown such confidence in my abilities. Lentini is a splendid city, rich in tradition, but above all, with a very good past football history. I feel honoured to be giving my contribution to this side.”