The D'Angelo story

Ivan talks about his move from Unione Sportiva Sambenedettese 1923 to Dunfermline Athletic.

Dunfermline Athletic's Italian signing Ivan D'Angelo has given his first interview and since he only understands a limited number of English words, Ivan (pronounced ee-van) was assisted by Slovakian keeper Michal Hrivnak whose Italian is good, having spent a number of years in the country playing at Brescia and Civatanovese. They talked to Italian speaker and programme editor, Duncan Simpson.

Firstly they establish that Ivan had left Ascoli Calcio two years ago after being at the club since the age of 7. For the last two years he was with Unione Sportiva Sambenedettese 1923, based in San Benedetto del Tronto. Ivan played in the Sambenedettese side that won the championship and promotion to Serie D.. Ivan was born in San Benedetto Del Tronto, which  is a city in the province of Ascoli Piceno, only 20 minutes away from the city of Ascoli Piceno

Ivan described his feelings on the Tuesday night when he made his Dunfermline debut against Montrose in the Scottish Commuinities Cup. He said:-

"I was both emotional and nervous but I felt fine when I got on to the pitch. I made some good crosses and I think I showed good movement. It was a shame that Andy Barrowman was offside when he netted my cross."

The move to Scotland was arranged by his agent Stephano Salvatori and Ivan is delighted that he has recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out of pre season for four weeks.

"Stephano suggested that I should try my luck in Scotland. He knew Jim Jefferies and Jim had said that he would give me a trial."

The Inter Milan supporting midfielder is a great admirer of Inter's Italian internationalist Antonio Cassano and Ivan revealed that he prefers to play a similar role to Josh Falkingham in the middle of the park tucked in behind the strikers."

Ivan has been signed until the end of the year and hopes to make a big imprssion since he would like to stay longer when his contract expires.

"Scottish football is different from football in Italy" he added "there is much more running and your body needs to be stronger. In my country the game is more about pass, pass, pass. My ambition is to do well at Dunfermline."