Giovinco at Juventus for the long term

Italian Under-21 international Sebastian Giovinco has signed a two-year contract extension at Juventus in the wake of his UEFA Champions League debut for the Turin club.

Rising star
The diminutive attacking midfielder has put pen to paper on a contract expiring in the summer of 2013 as he enjoys his breakthrough season with the Bianconeri. Added to Claudio Ranieri's squad after a successful 2007/08 campaign on loan at Empoli FC, Giovinco has made two Serie A appearances in addition to his 90-minute run-out against FC BATE Borisov on 30 September. The Group H game in Belarus marked the 21-year-old's UEFA Champions League bow. Giovinco, part of Italy's squad at the Beijing Olympics, helped the Azzurrini qualify for the UEFA European U21 Championship this week, playing in the first leg of their play-off victory over Israel but missing the second through suspension.