Zola, Gianfranco (1966– )

Italian footballer. A skilful attacking player, he made a major impact on English football since his £4.5 million transfer to Chelsea from Parma in 1996. In 1998, he was named among the first six players to be inducted into the Football Association Premiership's Hall of Fame.

Career highlights

International appearances (1991–97) 35 (9 goals)

UEFA Cup 1995

European Cup Winners' Cup 1998

European Super Cup 1994, 1998

FA Cup 1997, 2000

English League Cup 1998

Italian League Championship 1990

Awards

English Footballer Writers' Association Player of the Year 1997

He was born in Sardinia, and played for Nuorese and Torres before making his debut in the Italian first division with Napoli in 1989. Understudying and then replacing Diego Maradona, he emerged as one of Italy's most promising young players. He made his full Italian debut in 1991, but it was not until his £5.5 million transfer to Parma in 1993 that his talent fully blossomed. In 102 appearances for the club he scored 49 goals, including 19 in the 1994–95 season when Parma won the UEFA Cup. In 1997 he played in the FA Cup final, and was voted the English Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. In 1998 he scored the winning goal in Chelsea's 1–0 victory over Stuttgart in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup at the Rasunda Stadium in Stockholm.