Luciano Becchio

Luciano Becchio

Luciano Héctor Becchio (born 28 December 1983) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker. Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Becchio began his career in Buenos Aires at Boca Juniors but moved to Europe aged 20 after failing to make the grade at Los Xeneizes. Through his ancestry, Becchio was able to claim an Italian passport and subsequent cizitenship of the European Union, allowing him to sign for Spanish club Mallorca B in 2003. He would go on to play for a variety of other lower league clubs in the country over the next five years, including the Barcelona B team.

After an impressive season at Mérida in the 2007–08 season, Becchio was recommended to Leeds United Director of Football Gwyn Williams by former Newcastle United midfielder Marcelino Elena. He joined the Yorkshire club on trial during a pre-season tour of Ireland in July 2008. He signed shortly after the club's return to England, having impressed manager Gary McAllister and made his debut as a substitute on the opening day of the 2008–09 season against Scunthorpe United.

The Argentine went on to feature in over 200 games and scored over 80 goals at Leeds, achieving promotion from League One in 2010 and playing in the same team that knocked reigning English Champions Manchester United out of the FA Cup in January of the same year. Becchio became a firm fans' favourite at Elland Road. Becchio signed for Premier League club Norwich City as part of a swap deal for Welsh striker Steve Morison on 31 January 2013.