Mirco Antenucci has agreed a new contract with Serie A club SPAL after spearheading their historic promotion to the top flight, according to a reliable journalist.
Sky Sports Italy correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his personal website that the striker, 32, has reached an agreement with the Italian outfit to sign a two-year deal that runs until 2019.
Di Marzio reports that Antenucci has attracted interest from other clubs in his homeland but has decided to remain at SPAL, although another meeting will be needed to iron out the final details of the contract.
The forward put behind him a mixed two years at Leeds to lead SPAL’s promotion to Serie A with 18 league goals from 37 appearances in the recently completed domestic season.
Antenucci’s exploits ensured that his side won the Serie B title as they finished four points ahead of second-placed Verona.
He joined SPAL on a free transfer after his two-year spell at Elland Road came to an end last summer.
Intriguingly, the Italian subsequently claimed that he would still be at the Yorkshire giants had Massimo Cellino not prevented him from triggering a clause in his Leeds contract that would have guaranteed an extension.
The Italian striker delivered the bombshell in an interview with Italian site Calcio Mercato that controversial former Leeds owner Cellino forced the manager not to select him at the end of the 2015-15 season.
Antenucci had a clause in the two-year contract he signed upon his arrival in 2014 that he would automatically get a new deal if he scored 12 goals in a season.
The forward had 10 goals by mid-April in his first season and was then bizarrely omitted from the squad by Neil Redfearn for the final three matches of the campaign.
Antenucci, who stayed for a second season, in which he scored a further nine goals, before leaving last summer, explained that Redfearn was under orders from Cellino.
“It was an experience for many beautiful reasons, but also something negative happened,” said Antenucci to Calcio Mercato.“My first child was born there, Leeds is a young city that offers so much. Almost all positive aspects, except Cellino.
“Out of the blue, the first year I had a clause to get 12 goals my contract would be renewed, I reached 10 goals and I did not play. Not only in Italy these things happen, but also in England, even if done by an Italian.
“Beyond that, I take on the affection of the fans. The last day, when I went around the pitch, the crowd sang just for me. These things never forget.”
During Antenucci’s at Leeds, the club secured finishes of 13th and 15th, a far cry from their performances last season, in which Garry Monk steered them to seventh in the table after they pushed strongly for promotion before a final-month collapse.