Reports have suggested defender Alberto Comazzi is to be unveiled as Paolo Di Canio’s first Swindon Town signing from Italy. The 32 year old defender currently plays for Spezia Calcio in the Italian third tier, after a career that has taken in Milan, Como, Monza, Lazio, Verona and Ancona.

I’ve invited Milan based Calcistico.com editor and writer Dylan Fahy to give the lowdown on our potential new signing. Dylan has first hand experience of watching Comazzi in action, as Alberto played for his local side Como Calcio on loan from AC Milan between 1998 and 2000.

You’ve watched Comazzi in the flesh at Como Calcio over 10 years ago. What are your memories of watching Alberto back then, how did you think his career would go and has he fulfilled his potential?

After spending most of the early 90s in Serie C1, Como needed to strengthen the squad to stay in Serie B and compete. Coming from AC Milan, Comazzi was brought in as a sort of prospect/solid player for the defence by the then manager Giovanni Trainini. The team where also looking for managerial stability as they had four managers in the space of one season, and where saved from relegation on the last day, the year before he signed. After a bit of a shaky start, Comazzi became a regular in the first eleven. He played over fifty times in the space two years. Don’t expect him to do anything amazing, he is a reliable player that consistently performs well.

By Italian standards how has his career developed, has he been part of any memorable or championship winning sides?

Comazzi’s finest hour was for Como, although he was a player that was a part of many promoted sides. He played twice for Milan, and was signed by Lazio, but never played. His greatest team effort was with Como in the 1998-99 season in Serie C1, when they had an amazing second half of the season to catch leaders Alzano Virescit but narrowly finish second. They lost in a play-off semi-final against Pistoia. That was a great team effort, but his individual effort was making the Milan team.

Are you aware whether Alberto has any particular strengths or weaknesses in his playing ability or mentality?

Comazzi made his way into the Milan first team, through the youth team, and he had a talent of doing the simple things right. He is right footed and that is clearly his better foot, his left needs a bit of work. He is also a very clean player, only getting one yellow in the league (25 apps) for Spezia this season.

At 32 years old do you believe a move to England, in particular Swindon Town, would be the right move for him at this stage in his career?

He is a wanted man for teams in Serie B, and he was born in Novara. Novara got promoted to Serie A, so he might have gone there. Otherwise England is his first move abroad, being a very typical Italian player he will fit in Di Canio’s plans. I also presume he will be a key player for Swindon, the experience he has as a bit of a journeyman will help the younger players. My only worry would be his pace at 32.

How much will Comazzi cost Swindon to sign and what media reports have there been on this potential transfer?

He will cost around £130 grand. A site called calciomercato.com also brought up his transfer, claiming Di Canio just got in ahead of Hellas Verona, Comazzi’s old club, for his signature.

Reports suggest Di Canio persuaded Comzzi to sign by saying “Ciao Alberto, sono Paolo. Siamo d’accordo? Tu vieni da me, allo Swindon, qui vogliamo vincere il campionato, c’è entusiasmo, e io ho bisogno anche di te”. This basically means: “Alberto come to Swindon, we need you, we want to win the league, there is enthusiasm”. I hope that gets all Swindon fans excited!

With comments like “he is a reliable player that consistently performs well” and “he had a talent of doing the simple things right”, he’ll certainly fill the gaping void that’s been at the centre of our defence for some time. I’m certainly looking forward to this transfer being confirmed, the rest of our squad taking shape over the coming weeks and the team fulfilling Di Canio’s ambition to win the league.

You can follow Dylan Fahy on twitter @dylan_fahy