Dortmund's Neapolitan Ice Cream
Not since the days of former FC Bayern München striker Luca Toni has an Italian national enjoyed so much coverage in the German press as new Borussia Dortmund goalgetter Ciro Immobile.
Pescara foundation
The bright-eyed Neapolitan shot to fame from relative obscurity at Torino FC in 2013/14 and now has his sights firmly set on a similarly emphatic debut season in the Bundesliga.
Immobile moved to Juventus FC from Sorrento Calcio in 2008, but it took a few loan spells at AC Siena, US Grossetto FC and Pescara Calcio before his career really began to take off. The Torre Annunziata native netted a Serie B record 28 goals to help Pescara finish top of the pile in 2011/12, before joining Genoa CFC on a permanent deal in 2012.
"I will always remain a fan of Pescara," Immobile explained. "My time there was crucial to my development and improvements as a player. It was the platform for a career at the highest level. I will forever be grateful to [then-Pescara head coach Zdenek] Zeman."
Purple patch
Following an undistinguished debut campaign at Italy's top table (five goals in 33 league appearances), Immobile moved to Torino on 12 July 2013. The 24-year-old proved an instant hit at his new club, where he finished as the Capocannoniere, Serie A's top goalscorer, with 22 goals to his name.
It proved a campaign to savour for the two-footed marksman who, as well as making his senior debut with Italy in an international friendly against World champions Spain in March, surpassed Torino greats Paolo Pulici and Francesco Graziani for most goals in a season (both 21), before earning a deserved call-up to Cesare Prandelli's final 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.
