Luciano Zauri

Infobox Football biography
playername = Luciano Zauri


fullname = Luciano Zauri
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|1|20
cityofbirth = Pescina
countryofbirth = Italy
height = height|m=1.78
nickname =
position = Full-back/Midfielder
currentclub = Fiorentina
clubnumber = 14
youthyears = 1994-96
youthclubs = Atalanta
years = 1996-2003
1997-98
2003-2008
2008-
clubs = Atalanta
→ Chievo (loan)
Lazio
Fiorentina
caps(goals) = 1770(2)
0240(0)
1240(4)
0040(0)
nationalyears = 1995
1995-1996
2001-2002
nationalteam = Italy U-17
Italy U-18
Italy
nationalcaps(goals) = 6 (0)
9 (0)
5 (0)
pcupdate = June 30 2008
ntupdate = November 21 2002

Luciano Zauri (born 20 January 1978 in Pescina) is a professional football player for the Italian team ACF Fiorentina of Florence.

He is a versatile and powerful full-back. He is right footed but is particularly noted for some excellent performances at left back. He is also adept at playing as a holding midfielder.

Career

Zauri made his debut in Serie A in the 1996-97 season with Atalanta in a 4-0 loss at home to Roma.

He spent the following season with Chievo Verona before returning to Bergamo with Atalanta in 1998-99. Zauri then spent the following five seasons with the Orobici, three of which were in Serie A and two in Serie B. Over this time, he established himself as one of the best full backs in Italy.

In 2003, following Atalanta's relegation, Zauri, along with teammate Ousmane Dabo, was sold to Lazio. With Lazio, Zauri won the Coppa Italia in 2004.

He became a regular at the capital club, and has evolved into a leader. In January 2007, following the sale of World Cup winner and captain Massimo Oddo to Milan, Zauri was chosen as the new captain.

Zauri played a pivotal role in helping the club reach the UEFA Champions League and scored his first goal in the competition in the 1-1 draw away to Olympiacos.

Transfer to Fiorentina

The 18th of July, 2008 Zauri moved to Fiorentina on a loan deal with the option to buy out the player for e fee of 3.2 million euros.

International career

Zauri has won five appearances with the Italian national team. He made his Azzurri debut in 2004, yet has never been selected in the squad for any major tournament and is not currently in contention for a national team place.