Former Italian striker Michele Padovano has revealed his spell at Crystal Palace was all down to Gianluca Vialli.
The 56-year-old has been speaking to Il Giornale, relayed by Calcio Napoli 24, about his career in the game between, which he brought to an end in 2001.
The majority of his career was spent in Italy, with him starting at Asti and going on to play for teams such as Napoli, Genoa, Juventus and Como among others.
Indeed, he only spent one period outside of his homeland and that was a short live spell at Crystal Palace in 1997/98, when he joined the Eagles in a €1.95m deal from Juventus.
He would only make 12 appearances for the club during that year, managing one goal and just 653 minutes of action before moving to France with FC Metz.
On the face of it the switch to Crystal Palace appears to be a little bizarre, but Padovano admits it was all down to his friendship with Gianluca Vialli.
“Luca always called my wife when I was in prison,” he explained.
“We were friends, very good friends. My choice to go to Crystal Palace in London was determined by the fact that he was there. A piece of me is gone with him.”
