When a 17-year-old Federico Macheda bagged *that* dramatic injury time winner for Manchester United over Aston Villa in 2009, big things were expected of the Italian.
The goal went a long way to helping United fend off Liverpool’s challenge for their Premier League crown that year, and it was expected by many that Macheda would establish himself as a first team regular at Old Trafford.
However, six seasons and just 19 league appearances later, the Italian’s time at United was officially over.
After several loan spells to a number of different clubs, Macheda ended up at Cardiff City. Again, he failed to make an impact and his contract in the Welsh capital was cancelled in August, leaving him a free agent.
On Wednesday – a couple of days after his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo landed his fourth Ballon d’Or – it was confirmed that Macheda had himself a(nother) new club. Eight years on from leaving Lazio for United, the striker has returned to Italy, inking an 18-month deal with Serie B side, Novaro.
#BenvenutoInAzzurro, le prime foto in Azzurro di Macheda a Novarello#Novara #SerieB pic.twitter.com/NZKVAmtEq1
— Novara Calcio 1908 (@Novara__1908) December 14, 2016
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