Fiery Cassano comes to Madrid

Grand welcome
Crowds gathered to greet him as he was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium today, with the player - who will wear the No19 shirt - saying: "This is a very special club and everyone wants to play here. It's a big responsibility to wear this shirt and I'm very fortunate. Every Italian player wants to come here, and most coaches do as well."

Difficult season
Long heralded as one of European football's stars of the future, Cassano had a difficult autumn after deciding not to extend his stay in Rome. With his contract due to expire in June, Serie A giants Juventus and FC Internazionale Milano had both expressed an interest in signing the 23-year-old on a free transfer.

Deal struck
However, Madrid proved more determined than either of those Italian sides, striking a reported €5m deal with Roma and signing the player on a contract until June 2010. Cassano is only the second Italian player to wear the Madrid shirt following Christian Panucci, a UEFA Champions League winner with the club in 1997/98.

Tough upbringing
Born the day after Italy's 1982 FIFA World Cup triumph, Cassano was raised by his mother in Bari's old town after his father walked out on the family shortly after his birth. He joined AS Bari as a schoolboy, and was handed his debut by coach Eugenio Fascetti when he was just 17.

Famous goal
His second Serie A appearance against Inter in December 1999 was unforgettable. With two minutes remaining and the scores level at 1-1, the teenager picked up a clearance in his own half and set off on a long, twisting 50-metre run that ended with the ball in the back of the net.

Massive signing
Within two years, Roma had won the race to sign Cassano, paying Bari €28.5m for the privilege and being rewarded with 37 league goals. The striker also scored on his Italy debut against Poland under Giovanni Trapattoni and scored two more goals in three games at UEFA EURO 2004™.

Trouble reputation
However, along with his reputation as a striker comes his reputation as a troublemaker. Cassano's indiscretions have included skipping training, insulting officials and reacting furiously to being substituted and may have led some to see him as being too hot to handle in his native land.

Fascetti pleased
His first coach, Fascetti, is hoping such problems will not dog him in Spain. "I have been telling him to leave Italy for nearly a year," he said. "Here nobody gives him a break. I was hoping he would sign for a team like Madrid. He will get along well among a team of champions."

Zola impressed
One of Italy's most successful exports, Chelsea FC legend Gianfranco Zola, shared Fascetti's view. "He is a unique talent and can spread his wings in Madrid," he said. "Madrid fans expect the best and he will play alongside some great personalities. It will not be easy but Cassano is a fantastic player."

Hero time
With Raúl González injured, the striker could find himself thrown straight into the fray by Madrid coach Juan Ramón López Caro, and both he and Italy counterpart Marcello Lippi will be eager to see Cassano make headlines for his goals rather than his temper. At 23, it is time for the enfant terrible to become a man.