Football: Maradona Junior to join Argentine club

BUENOS AIRES: The Italian-born son of Diego Maradona is set to follow in the footsteps of his father by playing club football in Argentina. Diego Armando Sinagra Maradona, also known as Diego Junior, will sign for fourth-tier club El Porvenir, from the town of Gerli near the capital Buenos Aires, according to coach Luis Ventura. Ventura, who is also a journalist, revealed the news on Twitter, saying, “I have in my hand the passport of Diego Armando Maradona and the permit to transfer his Italian registration ... the future of Diego Junior is in Gerliiii,” said Maradona. Playing down comparisons with his legendary father, Diego Junior told the Argentine sports daily Ole: “I love Argentine football and to play there is something I’ve wished to do.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2012.