It has been confirmed that Lazio striker Tommaso Rocchi will be the only overage player in Italy’s squad for the Olympic Games.
Azzurrini Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi will lead his side in search of gold in Beijing, but he is allowed to name three players over the age of 23.
Despite rumours suggesting that superstars such as Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero could be chosen, the only overage player will be 30-year-old Rocchi.
“Rocchi will help this team be competitive as they look to follow up their Toulon Tournament triumph at the Olympic games,” Italian Football Federation President Giancarlo Abete confirmed.
Italy won the Toulon Tournament – an annual competition for Under-21 sides – at the end of May with Fiorentina’s Pablo Daniel Osvaldo scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 Final win over Chile.
Casiraghi’s side have been drawn in Group D for the Olympics and have been paired with the Republic of Korea, Cameroon and Honduras.