Mariano Pratto

Career
Pratto worked his way through the Barcelona youth set-up and gained his first professional contract in the 30/31 season. He spent his first 6 month that year in the Barcelona B side but played 2 games for the first team, unbelievably getting red cards in both games. In January of that season, newly promoted EPL side Gateshead came in with a risky £2.4 million offer for the 16 year old. He ended up making his debut for the club, as the teams youngest ever player at only 16 years and 154 days overtaking Karnell Powell by 100 days. He only played 5 games through the season but still impressed with 1 assist and a 7.40 average rating. The next season saw him gain a little more game time, playing 17 times for the north east side, he averaged a respectable 7.05 rating over the 31/32 campaign along with a Europa League medal. With multiple options at centre back, Ireland decided to loan him out to gain more game time for the next season. Southampton was the team he ended up at, where he helped them just avoid relegation and also getting his first ever professional goal that year. This season impressed Luke Ireland, so for the 33/34 season he was a highly used bench player in the push for Champions League glory. He ended up with 2 assists from 25 (playing mostly as a left back) and averaging a 7.80 rating throughout the season. He only just missed out on young player of the season that year to upcoming striker Kyle Wilson, but his performance was noted by the coaching staff for seasons to come. Mariano enjoyed the European success that year, having concorded Europe twice before he was even 20 years of age.