Italian international Andrea Masi returns home to join Viadana based Aironi – Rugby news
Italian international utility back, Andrea Masi, has signed a new deal with the Italian professional rugby union side Aironi Rugby. Aironi has confirmed the signing of the versatile back from the French Top 14 side Racing Metro
on Friday, June 10.
The 30-year-old Masi has expressed his delight on his return to the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella. He said, “I have the opportunity to stay in France with a new Top 14 club, but I decide to return in Viadana because I have a deep
connection with the city and because I know to join a serious and structured club that looks to improve and to grow up with a long term plan in which I want to be a main character.”
Masi has held meetings with the Aironi’s President Melegari and Director of Rugby Franco Tonni in order to finalise the contract. He has expressed his satisfaction on the clubs plans, projects, and the management’s efforts to
develop a strong unit.
Viadana based Aironi competes in the Magners League and the new RaboDirect PRO12 league.
Abruzzo, Italy born Masi started his professional rugby career for his hometown club L’Aquila in 1997. After 103 appearances for L’Aquila he joined the Aironi in 2003 and remained with them until 2006 making 44 appearances and
scoring 50 points.
At the start of the 2006/07 season, Masi joined the French Top 14 side Biarritz on a two-year contract. He made 37 appearances for them and scored 15 points.
Masi joined the Racing Metro at the start of the 2009/10 season and helped the side to reach the French Top 14 league from the Pro D2 league.
Since his international debut for Italy in 1999 he so far has played 60 international games and scored 65 points. Masi is expected to join the Aironi at the end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup i.e. in October later this year.
Masi has expressed hope that the unit and whole team can improve and can become a formidable side in Europe. He has assured fans that he will utilise all his skills and experience in developing the team. He said, “I will bring
all my experience to help Aironi reaching this target. We go through this way to bring Racing to the top level in both RaboDirect PRO12 and Europe. Also Aironi have great room for improvement and I will give my contribution in order to realise it.”
Meanwhile, Racing Metro has confirmed the release of the Italian international in a statement posted on their website.
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