Iacopo La Rocca
Iacopo La Rocca | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 17, 1984 Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Professional footballer, coach |
| Years active | 2000s–2019 (player) |
| Known for | Defensive midfielder and central defender |
Iacopo La Rocca (born 17 February 1984) is a professional footballer and coach with dual Italian-Australian nationality, known for his roles as a defensive midfielder and central defender.
Club career
La Rocca initiated his football development within Lazio's youth system before transferring to Pro Vercelli. He subsequently secured a three-year contract with Treviso. During this period, he was loaned out to Chieti, Fermana, and Sassari Torres, though his progress was hampered by injury setbacks. He later relocated to Switzerland, where he spent four seasons at AC Bellinzona. There, he contributed to the team's Challenge League triumph and participated in the Swiss Cup final facing Basel. After accumulating 89 appearances and featuring in six UEFA Cup fixtures, La Rocca moved on to Grasshopper, competing in the Swiss Super League.
On 11 September 2012, he inked a one-year contract with Western Sydney Wanderers of the A-League. His inaugural goal for the Wanderers came on 18 November 2012. In February 2013, he secured a two-year extension to his deal. Although suspended for the semifinal and final matches of the 2013 A-League season, during which his team claimed the championship in their debut year, La Rocca's contributions were significant. In that same year’s Grand Final, despite Western Sydney’s loss in extra time, he was awarded the Joe Marston Medal as the standout player.
La Rocca played a vital role in Western Sydney’s victorious 2014 AFC Champions League campaign, starting both legs of the final against Al-Hilal and becoming the first Italian player to lift this trophy. During the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup held in Morocco, he scored in a 1–3 extra-time defeat to Cruz Azul.
In June 2015, La Rocca signed a two-year deal with Adelaide United. After overcoming injury issues, he became a central figure in defense alongside Dylan McGowan during Adelaide’s season that resulted in both the Premier's Plate and their first Championship title.
He obtained Australian citizenship in November 2016, which made him eligible for national team selection and granted him domestic player status within club competitions.
In July 2017, Melbourne City secured La Rocca on a two-year contract. He made his debut for Melbourne City on 13 September 2017 during an FFA Cup match against Sydney FC.
Following his retirement from playing in 2019, La Rocca pursued coaching qualifications, earning his UEFA B License in Italy and later achieving the UEFA A License at Coverciano in 2023.
Club
- Western Sydney Wanderers
Adelaide United FC
Individual
- Joe Marston Medal: 2014 (jointly awarded with Thomas Broich)