He is known for being the first footballer to receive a "green card" for fair play.[1]
Club career
Bari
Born in Foggia, Apulia, Galano started his career at Serie B and Apulian team Bari. He made his Serie B debut on 23 May 2009 (2nd last round), losing to Salernitana 2–3. He wore no.15 shirt that season.[2] In 2010, he graduated from the under-20 youth team, and loaned to Gubbio,[3] to replace the left of Alessandro Marotta who returned to Bari.[4] He was the third team top-scorer along with Alfredo Donnarumma (both 5), behind Juanito (18) and Martino Borghese (6).[5]
He returned to Bari on 1 July 2011 and signed a new 3-year contract.[6] Galano later extended his contract to 30 June 2016.[7]
Vicenza
On 31 August 2015 Galano was signed by Vicenza Calcio in a temporary deal, with an obligation to sign him outright.[8][9]
He was assigned number 19 shirt for 2015–16 Serie B, which was vacated by Andrea Cocco.[10] He changed to wear number 11 shirt in the first half of 2016–17 Serie B, which was vacated by Giovanni Sbrissa. Galano left his club again on 31 January 2017, ending 1+1⁄2 years in the Veneto region. In October 2016, he received the first ever green card, an initiative introduced in the Serie B to reward fair play, when he indicated to the referee that a goal-kick should have been awarded instead of a corner.[11]
Bari return
On 31 January 2017 Galano re-joined Bari in a temporary deal, also with an obligation to sign him outright.[12][13] On the same day Vicenza teammate Filip Raičević also joined Bari.
Parma
On 3 August 2018, Galano signed with Serie A team Parma a 3-years contract.[14]
Foggia (loan)
On 17 August 2018, Galano joined Serie B side Foggia on loan with an option to buy.[15]
On 31 January 2022, Galano returned to Bari on loan with a conditional obligation to buy.[17]
International career
Italy U-16
Galano started his international career at the Val-de-Marneunder-16 international tournament.[18] He was never capped for the Azzurrini at under-17 level.
Cristian Galano is recorded to be the first player to be shown a green card in the history of soccer. This was in an event that took place when he indicated to the referee that a goal-kick should have been awarded instead of a corner. A green card has only been used in Italian Serie B and other tournaments played by countries deemed 'outside' FIFA.
^"COMUNICATO STAMPA" [Press Release] (PDF). FIGC (in Italian). 27 October 2006. Archived from the original(PDF) on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2010.