Gabriel Piccolo

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Gabriel Piccolo

● Gabriel Piccolo, 2013 (ALC) Gabriel Rojo de la Vega Piccolo was born on Sunday, 15th October, 1989, in Mexico City. The 6' 1 (13st 3lbs) defender signed for Alan Archibald's Thistle on Saturday, 27th July, 2013, having most recently been with Rayo Vallecano B. Aged 23, he made his debut appearance on Saturday, 27th July, 2013, in a 0-0 friendly draw at home to Athlitiki Enosi Lemesou. There were no goals for Gabriel during his time with Thistle. He played his last game for the club on Saturday, 10th May, 2014, in a 3-2 defeat at home to Ross County in the SPFL Premiership, having appeared as a Jag on 22 occasions. Gabriel's club-list included América, Atlante UTN, San Luis, Dénia, Rayo Vallecano B and Partick Thistle.

Bio Extra

Born in Mexico City, Gabriel began his career with his hometown club América. He then moved to Atlante, joining their second-division team Atlante UTN (now Toros Neza). Gabriel played two matches before being loaned to San Luis, making his professional debut on 16 March 2011, in a Copa Libertadores 1–1 away draw against Once Caldas. He made his league debut on 2 April, in a 2–3 loss against Querétaro. On 21 January 2012, Gabriel moved to Spain, signing a contract with CD Dénia, in Segunda División B. On 1 August, he joined La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, where he played 28 League games for the B team in 2012-13, scoring twice. Thistle manager Alan Archibald liked what he saw after Piccolo played for the Jags as a trialist in summer 2013 friendlies against Cowdenbeath (closed doors) and AEL Limassol and a 2-year-deal was signed, the player's Italian passport smoothing the process without a work permit. Archibald said: "I have now had the opportunity to see him play against a very high level of opposition and he looked very strong and aggressive and that is something that I am delighted to add to the squad." On the whole, the centre half never looked entirely comfortable in the demanding arena of the Premier League, although his passion and commitment was never in doubt. He shared his thoughts in the Daily Record in November 2013: It's getting colder every day but I'm sure I will handle it. Back home it's about 15 or 20 degrees right now, much better than Scotland. But I'm enjoying it here. I didn't expect Scottish people to be so friendly. That surprised me. I like it here. The first four or five months have been really good for me. I didn't know much about there game here. But I have learned a lot. It's different to back in Mexico and Spain but I have learned from my mistakes. I have learned from the good things that I have done too and even when I've been watching from the bench, so I'd say it has been a good start for me. I did expect to play more minutes but you have to expect that sometimes you won't always play but I'm still learning. Gabriel had his contract terminated by mutual consent on 21 August 2014, just over halfway through the intended period. Seemingly disillusioned, he retired early from the game thereafter, and was rumoured to have taken up offers of work as a male model.

(WIK/WS)