World Cup Swans: Giorgio Chinaglia

As the 2018 World Cup draws closer, the official website takes a look back at the players who have turned out for the Swans and played on the biggest stage of all.

Today we focus on Giorgio Chinaglia.

Giorgio Chinaglia was a powerful striker who made a big impression in Serie A having started his professional career at Vetch Field.

He started out at Swansea Town before moving back home for spells with Massese, Internapoli and Lazio, where he was named the greatest player in the club’s history during their centenary celebrations.

He finished his playing career in America as a team-mate of Pele at New York Cosmos, notably topping the goalscoring charts in four consecutive years.

Chinaglia was capped 14 times at international level, scoring four times for the Azzurri.

AT THE SWANS

Born in Tuscany in 1947, Chinaglia moved to Wales with his family at a young age and signed for the Swans as an apprentice when he was 15.

He was handed his senior debut against Rotherham United in the League Cup in October 1964, and made his first league appearance against Portsmouth the following February. 

His first and only goal for the club came against Bournemouth in August 1965, and he made his final appearance as a substitute against Brentford seven months later.

Overall, he played six times for the Swans in all competitions before being released because the club's coaching staff were concerned about his attitude.

AT THE WORLD CUP

Chinaglia narrowly missed out on Ferrucio Valcareggi’s squad for the 1970 finals, but was still taken to Mexico for the experience.

He was then included in the squad four years later and played in Italy’s 3-1 victory over Haiti in their opening match of the tournament.

He was an unused substitute during the Azzurri’s 1-1 draw with Argentina but was restored to the starting line-up for their final match in West Germany, as he played in the first half of the 2-1 defeat by Poland.