Felice Natalino

Felice Natalino (born 24 March 1992) is a former Italian footballer.

Club career

Natalino arrived Internazionale's youth system in August 2008 from Crotone, via Genoa, which The Griffin signed him from Crotone weeks earlier, which cost €628,293. Since 2009–10 season he was co-contracted by the two clubs, as Genoa sold half of the registration rights for €75,000. Before joined Crotone, he also played a season for Virtus Sambiase, which the club eligible to receive €18,000 from Inter after Natalino made his Serie A debut.

Natalino was included into the first team during the 2010–11 Serie A season due to an injury crisis. Natalino then made his competitive debut for the first team on 28 November 2010, aged 18 years and 8 months, coming on for Davide Santon in the half-time break of a home league match against Parma, then ended in a 5-2 win for Inter. Natalino was successively featured in the starting line-up by head coach Rafael Benítez in the next match against Lazio, that ended in a 3-1 defeat for the Nerazzurri. On 7 December, Natalino made his UEFA Champions League debut against Werder Bremen, coming on in the second half for the captain Javier Zanetti who suffered a knock, the game was ended by a 3-0 defeat to Bremen.

Natalino went on loan in 2011–12 season, as Inter youth product often left the under-20 team a year earlier for senior football. However, Natalino only played once. In June 2012 Genoa transferred the remaining 50% registration rights to Inter for free.

In February 2013, Natalino underwent emergency surgery after suffering a heart attack. He had previously been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. In October of that year, he confirmed his retirement from football, having chosen not to risk of putting undue strain on his heart by returning to the life of a professional sportsman.

International career

Natalino was a member of the Italy U-16 national team in 2007–08 season. He also played for U17, U18 and U19 team. However, after he turned to play senior football he did not receive any call-up. Natalino was a member of 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualification which he played twice.

Career statistics

As of 8 December 2010