The Italian defender was born in Bari, 28^th June, 1971. He began his career at local club, Bari, in 1988 who he went on to make 75 appearances for, scoring 8 goals.

Amoruso spent 1991-1993 on loan at Mantova and Pescara, but only featured intermittently.

In 1995 he secured a move to Fiorentina, becoming club captain and making 54 appearances. He won the Coppa Italia in 1996 and in 1997 the Florence side went on a remarkable run in Europe where they reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners Cup only to lose out to eventual champions Barcelona.

But, Amoruso’s most significant career move came in May 1997 when he signed for Glasgow Rangers, for a £4million fee. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon, delaying his debut until April 1998. He started the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic in April, helping Gers to a 2-1 victory.

In the summer of 1998 Dutchan, Dick Advocaat, was installed as Rangers manager who brought his own novel approach to the club which worked to the benefit of the Italian who he immediately made Amoruso captain despite him hardly featuring in the season prior.

Amoruso was slow to adapt to Scottish football as he received plenty of criticism from home fans. A falling out with Advocaat did not help matters either. Rumours of a move to Sunderland emerged, but, Amoruso defied his critics and remained in the side who he helped to a domestic treble that season.

In 1999, Amoruso was selected to front an anti-racism campaign, along with a team mate. However, in December of that year, he was caught racially abusing a Borrussia Dortmund player. He had denied doing so and threatened a legal challenge during an interview with Corriere Dello Sport. But video evidence confirmed Amoruso as guilty and he was charged.

During 2000-2001, Amoruso entered a dark period of his career. Blamed for Rangers exit from the Champion’s League, he was stripped of the captaincy and left humiliated by Advocaat following more clashes.

It was during this time that Amoruso has confessed he suffered depression and mild-alcoholism. His footballing situation only made things worse.

Things began to change for Amoruso when Advocaat departed the club and was replaced as manager by Alex McLeish.

McLeish helped the Italian discover previous good form and the club went on to win both domestic cups that season with Amoruso voted Scottish Player of the Year.

The highlight of Amoruso’s Gers career was netting the winning goal during an Old Firm Scottish Cup Final, in 2003. An iconic image of the defender, crying as he celebrated the goal, has endured.

In 2003, English side Blackburn Rovers signed Amoruso for £1.4million. He was supposed to replace Henning Berg in defence, but it wasn’t to be. Amoruso only made 18 appearances for Rovers, due to a series of successive injuries. He left the club in 2006.

Amoruso went into retirement after his time at Blackburn. But he was tempted to return on a part-time basis for Italian side, Cosmos, making 52 appearances.

Internationally, Amoruso was never selected for the Italian side. He received two U21 caps, but he claimed Italian managers, Trapattoni, Cesare Maldini and also Dino Zoff had a bias against him.

During his career, Amoruso won:

Fiorentina:

-       Coppa Italia: 1995-1996

Rangers:

-       Scottish Premier League: 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2002-2003.

-       Scottish Cup: 1998-1999, 2001-2002, 2002-2003.

-       Scottish League Cup: 1998-1999, 2001-2002, 2002-2003.