Alessandro Circati 'feeling at home' in first Socceroos camp

Alessandro Circati is feeling right at home in his maiden Subway Socceroos camp after deciding to pledge his allegiance to Australia.

The talented young defender was named in Graham Arnold's squad for the first time and will be hoping to make his senior international debut in Thursday night's clash against Argentina in Beijing.

Still only 19, Circati is one of the nation's most promising centre-backs.

Born in Fidenza, Circati moved to Perth as a one-year old after his dad, Gianfranco a former professional footballer himself, had previously played for Perth Glory in the late 1990s.

After rising through the ranks at Perth SC, Circati joined the Glory's academy at the age of 14, where he would represent the A-League Men's club at NPL level for three years. 

Assured performances followed and in March 2021 after a successful trial joined Serie B outfit Parma Calcio 1913, the same club his father had twice plied his trade with.

Heading into his second season, he signed his first professional contract and soon made his first-team debut, with his talents not going unnoticed.

Circati was called up to the Italy U-20 squad and went on to earn two caps last year.

But ultimately Circati in his heart wanted to represent Australia and is adamant he had made the correct choice.

"Look, it wasn't too difficult," he told Football Australia Media.

"I knew in myself what I felt was right and what I felt was the right thing for me to do.

"I know I made the right decision and I'm sure of it.

".... It's been exciting, I've met all the boys now and they've all been super welcoming."

Circati said the opportunity to play against the World Champions did not expedite his decision.

"It's great the opposition didn't really change my view on whether I was going to play with the Socceroos or not," he continued.

"Obviously, it's a bonus and it's something that you know, to play the World Champions, it doesn't often happen. 

"During the World Cup I was supporting from afar, and the boys did great." 

Circati joins Alexander Robertson - another prodigious talent - to have recently committed to play for the Green and Gold despite being eligible for multiple countries.

He revealed he had been in contact with the 20-year-old previously and was looking forward to strengthening that friendship.

"I've spoken to him in the past," he said. "Obviously before coming here to play with the with the Socceroos.

"I've been in contact with him a few times, so I already knew him over social media."

It has been a pretty impressive past week for Circati, who also put pen to paper on a new four-year contract extension with Parma until June 2027.

The Emilia-Romagna club is no stranger to Socceroos with Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano spending parts of their respective careers there.

"It's great, I've got family there, I've learned the language just fine," he said, having amassed 17 appearances in all competitions for the Crocati in 2022/23.

"And they've been very welcoming and obviously, players have gone through there.

"Aussie players Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano. So, you know, there's still people there that you know, were there when they were then and they always speak good about them."

Indeed, Circati also shares the pitch at Parma with legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and said he has learned a lot from the veteran shot-stopper.

"He's idolised by lots of people, myself included," he said.

"You learn so much from a player like him because he's obviously been in football for longer than I've been alive.

"So you can learn so much off a player like him."