JAMIE VARDY will be playing alongside the great-grandson of dictator Benito Mussolini this season.
Vardy, 38, finally ended speculation about his future after he signed for Serie A side Cremonese on deadline day .
The former England striker had been looking for a new club all summer after ending his 13-year spell at Leicester City at the end of last season.
And a move to Italy’s top flight will mean he is sharing a pitch with Romano Floriani Mussolini, the great-grandson of dictator Benito Mussolini.
Born in 2003, Floriani Mussolini spent time in the Roma youth academy before eventually finding his way to bitter cross-town rivals Lazio .
This season he has been loaned out to Cremonese, where he made his Serie A debut last week.
The full-back, 22, has repeatedly attempted to distance himself from his great-grandfather, who was the fascist ruler of Italy before he was overthrown in 1943 and later executed in 1945, by saying he is not interested in politics.
While he also wears his first name, Romano, on the back of his shirt for Cremonese.
Upon joining the club he said was “here to play football “, adding: “My surname bothers other people more than me.”
His surname appeared to cause issues last season during his loan to third division side Juve Stabia.
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After his winner against Cesena last December, some reports claimed Juve Stabia supporters celebrated the goal with fascist salutes.
The club, and their president, rejected those claims in a statement.
Floriani Mussolini and Vardy now face a likely relegation battle with Cremonese, who were promoted from Serie B last season.
The Lombardy-based club have got off to a flying start, though, earning a shock win over AC Milan on the opening day and beating Sassuolo on Friday to retain their perfect record this season.
Vardy has agreed a one-year contract with the option of another 12 months if his new club avoid the drop.
The veteran finisher has already received a hero’s welcome to Northern Italy, being mobbed by fans as he landed on the continent to finalise his deal.
