Bruno Cirillo (born 21 March 1977) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
He moved clubs frequently throughout his career, spending two spells at AEK Athens and a further three years at PAOK, both in Greece, in addition to brief spells in Spain, Cyprus, France and India.
Cirillo played for Italy at under-21 level and was included in their squad for the 2000 Olympics.
Club career
Italy Born in Castellammare di Stabia, Cirillo started his career in the ranks of Reggina, and started enjoying regular first-team football after a 1996–97 switch to Serie C2 Tricase Calcio. In the summer of 1998, he returned to Reggina and helped them to promotion to Serie A. The following season was even better, with Cirillo scoring twice in 32 matches and catching the eye of FC Internazionale Milano, joining in 2000. He appeared 24 times in his sole season in Milan before moving to U.S. Lecce for 6,000 million lire in co-ownership dealFC Internazionale Milano SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2002, PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A. along with Giorgio Frezzolini for 2,500 million lire in co-ownership dealFC Internazionale Milano SpA bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2001, PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A. (swapped with Erminio Rullo of Lecce for 3,000 million lire in co-ownership deal and 5,500 million lire cash). In June 2002, Lecce acquired Cirillo (€306,000), Frezzolini (free) and Rullo (€151,000) outright.
Cirillo then returned to Reggina in 2002–03, rejoined Lecce and was loaned to AC Siena in quick succession.
AEK Athens On 13 July 2005 Cirillo signed for the Greek club, AEK Athens. He proved influential for the Greek runners-up spot in 2006 and 2007. On 29 April 2007, Cirillo played his last match with AEK against Skoda Xanthi in the Super League Greece, where he was given the Man of the Match award. After the end of the season his contract was terminated.
Later career On 4 July 2007, Cirillo signed a two-year deal for Spanish outfit Levante UD. In January 2008, due to Levante's inability to pay agreed wages he, alongside countryman Marco Storari left the club, with Cirillo signing for Reggina, the club where he grew as a player. Cirillo mutually terminated his contract with Reggina in June 2009, and later that month PAOK FC signed him until June 2011 on free transfer.
On 28 January 2013, Cirillo signed a six-month deal for French club Metz, with the option of a further year. This option was not taken, and on 26 August 2013, Cirillo signed a one-year private agreement for AEK Athens, returning to the club after six years.Συμφωνία με τον Μπρούνο Τσιρίλο. (in Greek) 26 August 2013, [www.aekfc.gr AEK Athens F.C. Official Website].
On 21 August 2014, Cirillo was the first pick in the Indian Super League Inaugural International Draft, signed by Pune City.
In 2015, he returned to Reggina, the club in which he started his career, to finish his career there. He retired in 2015 and now he plans on becoming a manager in the future.
International career Cirillo played every second of Italy's campaign at the 2000 Olympics in Australia, in which they reached the quarter-finals before elimination by Spain.
Personal life In 2007, Cirillo began dating Greek actress and model Elena Asimakopoulou. On October 4, 2010, the couple got married in a civil ceremony, and two months later, on December 13, their daughter, Maria-Rosaria Cirillo, was born. They also married in a religious ceremony on May 19, 2018. Τhey separated in 2022.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsReggina1994-95Serie C1 Girone B10———101995–96Serie B00——00001998–99Serie B16020——1801999–2000Serie A32240——362Total492600000552Tricase Calcio (loan)1996–97Serie C2242———2421997–98Serie C2302———302Total544——00544Inter Milan2000–01Serie A170207000260Lecce2001–02Serie A18320——2032002–03Serie B14100——141Total324200000362Reggina (loan)2002–03Serie A10060——160Siena (loan)2003–04Serie A23020——2502004–05Serie A31031—00341Total540510000591AEK Athens2005–06Super League Greece2422120002832006–07Super League Greece2600010100361Total5022112100644Levante2007–08La Liga16020——180Reggina (loan)2007–08Serie A18000——180Reggina2008–09Serie A32000——320PAOK2009–10Super League Greece2520040002922010–11Super League Greece2515090003912011–12Super League Greece2312010000351Total73470230001034Alki Larnaca2012–13Cypriot First Division7000000070Metz2012–13Championnat National150000000150AEK Athens2013–14Gamma Ethniki11020——130Pune City2014Indian Super League14000——140Reggina2014–15Serie C16000——160Career total468163424210054419
Honours Reggina Serie C1 Girone B: 1994–95 AEK Athens Football League 2: 2014 (6th Group) Italy U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2000
References
External links