The goalkeeper joined Atalanta on an 18-month loan deal earlier this month.
Loaned-out Aston Villa goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini has told Italian outlet ANSA that he does not intend to return to England, and criticised Villa’s training regime.
Gollini left Villa after only six months to return to his native country earlier in January, agreeing an 18-month loan deal which has the option to be made permanent.
The 21-year-old stopper was highly-rated in Serie A last season, impressing even despite Hellas Verona’s relegation, even claiming after moving to England back in July that he could have signed for Juventus.
Gollini made 20 Championship appearances for Villa, initially surviving as first choice between the posts after Steve Bruce replaced the man who signed him, Roberto di Matteo, in October.
However, he was ultimately dropped in favour of Mark Bunn, and the loan arrival of Sam Johnstone earlier this month seemed to effectively close the door to a return to the side.
Now, Gollini has revealed that he does not intend to leave Italy again after sealing his return, and criticised Villa’s training regime.
The Italian revealed to ANSA: “I intend to stay in Italy. I already had contact with Atalanta over the summer, then in January Marco Sportiello left and the opportunity opened up.
“I returned to Italy with the intention of staying and continuing my career here. The condition I had set my agent for me to stay in Birmingham was to have an Italian goalkeeping coach.
“That was the situation, with Massimo Battara, until the manager Roberto Di Matteo was fired. I played a great deal at Villa, but I wasn’t happy with the training regime.”
That is a pretty decisive statement from Gollini, and it seems Villa fans should not be expecting to ever see their brief number one back at Villa Park in home colours.
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