Gaglio To Attend Portuguese Football Club Trials
U9 footballer, Roman Gaglio, has been selected to attend football trials with Sporting Clube de Portugal.
A spokesperson said, “The Vasco da Gama Club and the Vasco Youth Program are pleased to announce that U9 footballer, Roman Gaglio, has been selected to attend football trials with the prestigious Portuguese football club, Sporting Clube de Portugal. Roman will travel to Lisbon next week for this incredible opportunity.
“Roman was scouted during his participation in the 15th International U11 Football Tournament of the Azores. This tournament was held on 5, 6, 7 and 8 April and organized by Clube União Micaelense based in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Roman played a striking or attacking midfielder role throughout the tournament. Indeed, Roman was individually honoured by the tournament organizer as one of the best 7 players throughout.
“Founded in 1906, Sporting is one of the oldest and most important sports clubs in Portugal. Sporting has won the Portuguese Primeira Liga 19 times and the Portuguese Cup 17 times. They compete regularly in European football, becoming the runners-up at the UEFA Cup in 2005.
Roman Gaglio with the Vasco Youth Program Coaches at the 2023 Azores Tournament [left to right: Reed Gaglio [also Roman’s father]; Germano Botelho; Enio Vieira]
“Sporting’s Youth Academy is one of the most prestigious in the world. Sporting’s youth system has helped develop footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo.
“Roman was scouted because of his tenacity and hunger to win. He scored several goals in the tournament and was a key playmaker in many others. At only nine years old, Roman was holding his own in a tournament with footballers 1 or 2 years his senior. This fact was also noted by the Sporting scouting team.
“While this was an opportunity provided to Roman thanks to Vasco da Gama Club, he has always been a driven, disciplined self-starter that committed himself to the development of his craft. If Roman succeeds at trials, this could open the door to a variety of football-related opportunities. If he is not successful this year, this will nonetheless be an invaluable experience for Roman.”
Germano Botelho, director of the Vasco Youth Program, expressed how proud he was of Roman: “Frist of all, my congratulations to Roman for this fantastic opportunity. It is so rare for any footballer to stand out in an international competition, and even rare still for professional scouts to give such an opportunity.
“It is not a surprise that he was selected as among the 2023 tournament’s best players. He shared this honour with young players from professional academies throughout Europe. This is no small achievement, and we expect great things from Roman in the future. His parents should be very proud.
“Regardless of the results of his trial, Roman should hold his head high with such an honour.”
Roman Gaglio’s official team profile picture
Richard Ambrosio, President of Vasco da Gama, who was present at the games, thanked everyone involved as follows: “I want to extend my congratulations to Roman and his undoubtedly proud family. This is a tremendous achievement. I was fortunate enough to watch our U11 team in action in the Azores this past April, and I saw firsthand what Sporting’s scouts saw as well.
“Every Portuguese person and football fan in Bermuda knows Sporting. Whether you support the team or consider them a football rival, their youth academy is universally respected. Being selected by such a prestigious club is a moment that Roman can be proud of for the rest of his life, irrespective of whether this leads to a professional career or not.
“I also want to thank Germano Botelho and his group of volunteer coaches and team managers who work tirelessly to run the program and provide support to players such as Roman. In my mind, this is a huge vote of confidence not just in Roman but also in our program.”
The spokesperson said, “Roman is currently enrolled at Saltus Grammar School and lives with his father Reed, mother Sandy and sister Rielle. Reed Gaglio is also a coach for the Vasco Youth Program, and jointly coached the traveling team to the Azores in April 2023. Vasco da Gama Club and the Vasco Youth Program wish the best of luck to Roman!”
