Mirco Antenucci continues excellent post-Leeds United career with new contract

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It would be fair to say that Mirco Antenucci has not let his exit from Leeds United halt his career. The Italian today signed a new deal with Serie A club SPAL. It keeps him with the club until the summer of 2020 – when he will be 35-years-old.

It signifies his importance to the side, who are currently engaged in a thrilling fight for top-flight survival in Italy. Antenucci is the club captain and played a key role in their promotion to Serie A last season. The Italian striker scored 18 goals last season and this season he has performed well in the top-flight. Antenucci has scored eight goals this season, making him the club’s top scorer.

For Leeds fans however, it will not come as a shock.

Antenucci was one of the few signings brought in under Massimo Cellino’s ownership that the fans really got behind.

The bearded striker was a popular figure at Elland Road because of his passionate displays and goalscoring prowess. The Italian was ruthless in front of goal, even if his figures only showed 19 goals in two Championship campaigns.

At the end of the 2015-16 season Antenucci’s contract was up at Leeds and the club did not tie him down to a new one. The striker, who had just had a newborn baby, wanted to head back to Italy.

But Leeds fans will wish they had Antenucci at the club now. The striker is enjoying a traditional Italian striker’s Indian summer at the moment. Leeds meanwhile have lacked goals, since the departure of Antenucci’s former team-mate Chris Wood to Burnley.

An experienced Serie A captain who is still scoring goals – Leeds United must wish Antenucci had wanted to stay in West Yorkshire.