Your Archive Needs YOU! Page upload volunteers are urgently required; free time is precious for everyone but if you can spare some then please do get in touch → and play your part in helping to build an Archive for all of Jagskind to use and enjoy! Read more → |
Gabriel Piccolo |
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. |
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:
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) |