Leeds United ‘gave me so much’, claims Massimo Cellino tipped ‘Europe’s best’ Marco Silvestri

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Former Leeds United goalkeeper has been discussing his time at Elland Road during an interview in the Italian media. 

Leeds snapped up the Italian from Chievo in July 2014, paying a reported (Yorkshire Post) £400,000 to bring him to West Yorkshire.

Despite some memorable saves, Silvestri struggled to find consistency at Leeds and was replaced by Rob Green before eventually leaving the club and returning to Verona with Hellas Verona.

The 29-year-old has since found some good form with the Gialloblu and spoke to SOSFanta this week about his time at Leeds. 

“It was a new experience, which gave me so much. 

“It was very formative, I played a lot. Only in the first two years 92 games.”

Silvestri was one of several new signings to arrive from Italian football under the ownership of controversial former chairman Massimo Cellino. 

Whilst most of those arrivals were duds (Edgar Cani anyone?), Silvestri was, by comparison, a hit.

Along with Gaetano Berardi and Mirco Antenucci, Silvestri was one of the few Italian recruits who managed to produce some decent form during his time at Leeds. 

Indeed, Cellino was a huge fan. The madcap Italian told Leeds’ official website that Silvestri was ‘one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe’. 

“He is a very talented young goalkeeper that could be playing in Serie A in Italy, but has chosen to join us in Leeds.

“For his age, Marco is one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe.”

Unfortunately, his weakness from crosses and lack of physical presence saw him lose his place at Leeds. But it has clearly put him in good stead. Silvestri helped Hellas win promotion to Serie A last season and has remained number one in the club’s surprise challenge for European football in Serie A this season. 

Leeds United fans will surely not begrudge the stopper any future success.