Italian striker Stefano Okaka has revealed how a back-heel goal against Siena in 2010 almost scuppered a last-minute move to Fulham.
The forward has been speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio about his career to date and various events in it during his time in multiple countries.
The 33-year-old started his career with Roma in Italy as a youngster but has gone on to play for the likes of Fulham, Parma, Sampdoria, Anderlecht, Watford, Udinese and now Basaksehir.
His move to Craven Cottage came early on his career, with him joining them on loan in January 2010 until the end of the season.
He was a regular for the club in that short spell, though, bagging three goals in 13 appearances before returning to Roma that summer.
That was a move which was a big one for him to make at that stage in his career and he admits it nearly never happened after he scored a superb backheel goal in a late win over Siena.
“That day I was supposed to go to Fulham to get some Premier League experience even though I was 17,” he said.
“But coach Ranieri wasn’t convinced to leave me out because if we won, we could go first or second in the table, I can’t remember, so I went on the bench and then I would leave in the evening.
“We were 1-1 and he told me to come in. Then I scored that beautiful goal. I remember that long run with Daniele De Rossi yelling at me, ‘Mammamia che hai fatto, sei pazzo’. The coach told me ‘You don’t have to leave’, but then I made my choice.”
