Italian defender Matteo Darmian is of Armenian descent. Of Armenian extraction but born in the northern Italian town of Legnano, he played his youth football for AC Milan before making his first-team debut in a Coppa Italia match in November 2006, according to FIFA’s official website

A maiden Serie A appearance followed the very next season against Udinese, but like many other young Italian talents Darmian was forced to go on his travels in search of first-team football, spending time at Padova, Torino and Palermo but playing only 15 top-flight games up to 2012.

His fortunes changed when Torino decided to sign him on a permanent deal. Earning a regular starting place as the 2012/13 season got under way, he established himself as one of the best full-backs in Serie A.

A first choice also at every age level for Italy, Darmian caught the eye of Cesare Prandelli during another fine season with the Turin club and was invited to a national team training camp in March 2014, the prelude to his appearance in the coach’s 23-man list for Brazil 2014.  

 

source: public radio of Armenia