In 2009, Fabio Quagliarella was hot property in Serie A. The Italian striker was becoming a feared goal scorer in Italy's top tier, and, thanks to netting double figures in the previous three seasons,earned himself a big move from Udinese to Napolifor around€18m.
A successful debut campaign followed in Naples, where he went on toscore 11 goals. However, in 2010, despite apparent on the field success,Quagliarella hastily departedto Juventus in a loan deal in what was oddly low-profile move and shrouded in mystery.
Napoli made a loss on a player, a€3million loss in total, who had arrived with a substantial reputation and had backed it up on the pitch - a situation which is almost unprecedented in modern football.
Now, the former Italy international has revealed the reason for his mysterious exit. He was pursued by a stalker in Naples.
"This week marked the end of an off the pitch issue that had turned into a nightmare for me," the now-Sampdoria striker said," he revealed, as quoted by theDaily Mail.
"I have this huge weight taken off my shoulders and this is the real reason I had to leave Napoli and Naples. I was very happy there, but I was affected by this situation that turned into a genuine nightmare.
"I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. I couldn't leave my house, neither could my family. I thank the courts for ensuring the truth came out.
"It was even more painful because as the investigation was on-going, I couldn't tell people about it, I couldn't express what was happening to me."
The stalker has now finally been given a jail sentence for his crimes, allowing the striker to openly admit his ordeal, which included being aggressively pursued and having death threats made by the individual.
Quagliarella endured something few of us will understand, but the fact he managed to recover his form and still enjoy an illustriouscareer in Italy's top flight is a testament to his strong character.