Italo Alaimo (9 August 1938 – 17 July 1967) was an Italian footballer who played as a right winger.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1938-09-08)8 September 1938 | ||
| Place of birth | Rome, Italy | ||
| Date of death | 17 July 1967(1967-07-17) (aged 28) | ||
| Place of death | Novara, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1957–1958 | Reggina | 0 | (0) |
| 1958–1961 | Volsinio | ||
| 1961 | Tevere Roma | ||
| 1961–1963 | Chieti | 58 | (9) |
| 1963 | Rosignano Solvay | 6 | (0) |
| 1963–1967 | Reggina | 115 | (12) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Following a successful footballing career in several tiers of Italy's league system, Alaimo died on 17 July 1967 during a medical examination as part of his transfer to Serie B club Novara.[1]
Following his release from Reggina in 1958 and his consequent success at lower Serie C clubs, Alaimo earned a move to Chieti, making 58 appearances as his club avoided relegation to Serie D for two straight seasons. Nevertheless, Alaimo then dropped down a division anyway to play for Rosignano Solvay, returning to Reggina in November 1963 and earning promotion with his side to Serie B in the 1964–65 season as they won the title.
In July 1967, following several years of success with Reggina, Alaimo earned a move to fellow Serie B side Novara, with the transfer fee amounting to 35 million lire - one of the largest fees in Italian football at the time.[2]
Following his transfer to Novara and his presentation to the club's fans, Alaimo underwent a routine medical examination in order to officially complete the transfer. Alaimo got on an exercise bicycle to undergo a cardiac stress test. He completed his exercise, but as he began to dismount the bicycle, he was struck by a spasm; despite resuscitation attempts, Alaimo passed away.[3][4][5] The cause of death was officially given as an electric shock, and three employees at Ospedale Maggiore (where the medical took place) were charged with negligent homicide.[1]
Following his death, a street in Reggio di Calabria was named Via Italo Alaimo in his honour.[6]