Niccolò Galli

Niccolò Galli (22 May 1983 — 9 February 2001) was an Italian professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

Career Galli began his career with his hometown club, Fiorentina, and moved to Arsenal in August 1999. He spent one year in London, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2000, then returned to Italy to finish his studies: he was on loan with Bologna during this time. At Bologna, Galli was considered one of the most promising young central defenders in world football after featuring in Serie A and being capped by Italy's youth teams.

Death On 9 February 2001, Galli died in a road accident while riding on his moped, on the way home from practice at Bologna's training centre, aged 17.

Legacy Following his death, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and Head of Youth Development and Academy Director Liam Brady both praised the young defender and stated he would have been a certainty to make the Arsenal first team but for his death. Brady later also stated, "I always remember Niccolo. Losing a boy that young was a real tragedy. He was a great footballing talent. He had a great future ahead of him." He stated that he stood out from his teammates due to his "maturity and intelligence", describing him as a "complete player", stating: "He had it all -- the ball control, passing, the physicality."

Bologna's training centre, in the neighbourhood of Casteldebole, is named after Galli; the club also retired his number 27 shirt, A foundation has also been dedicated to Galli in his honour. Arsenal observed a minute's silence in memory of Galli's death.