Cassano makes retirement U-turn

As if that were not enough, Cassano only joined the Italian side last week.

The 35-year-old has not played a game in over a year, with his last one coming in May 2016, but signed for the Serie A side 8 days ago following their return to the top-flight.

Despite that, Cassano gathered his team-mates to tell them that he would be quitting the club as he was missing his family, who live some 180 miles away in Genoa, only to then have a change of heart.

The former Italy international said: "This morning I had a moment of weakness,"

"I had a meeting with (head coach) Fabio Pecchia and the others to say that I wanted to stop."

"I was yearning for my family but the club's management has asked them to come and they gave me the strength to carry on."

"I want to rise to the challenge and have a crazy season."

Cassano made a name for himself at Roma, before spells with Sampdoria, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Parma.

The striker was diagnosed with a heart defect in November 2011 and underwent surgery in order to be able to continue his career.

#Cassano: «Momento di debolezza, resto e voglio vincere questa sfida» / VIDEO
La conferenza di oggi https://t.co/S3e6POPZFF#HVFC pic.twitter.com/6M3yVFBpSm

— Hellas Verona FC (@HellasVeronaFC) 18 de julio de 2017