Balotelli, a Brazil winger and the bid for Serie D promotion
Chievo Verona, after being declared bankrupt and expelled from professional football, are rebuilding from Serie D with ambitious plans to climb back up the Italian football pyramid. The club has received unexpected support from Mario Balotelli and signed former Brazil international Douglas Costa, who joined via a connection with Balotelli at UAE club Al-Ittifaq. Backed by president Pietro Laterza and club legend Sergio Pellissier, Chievo Verona is investing in infrastructure and experienced players to pursue promotion.
- ▪Chievo Verona were expelled from professional football in 2021 due to financial and tax issues following the Covid pandemic.
- ▪The club was revived by former top scorer Sergio Pellissier, who acquired the Chievo Verona brand in 2024 after promoting his new club Clivense to Serie D.
- ▪Douglas Costa joined Chievo Verona in January 2026 after being recruited through Mario Balotelli, who plays for UAE club Al-Ittifaq owned by Chievo president Pietro Laterza.
- ▪Chievo Verona has invested in the Bottagisio training centre and signed former Serie A players including Alberto Paloschi and Daniele Baselli.
- ▪Pietro Laterza is the president of both Chievo Verona and Al-Ittifaq, a Dubai-based club in the UAE second division.
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