Gennaro Tutino set for Gubbio loan

Last season, Gennaro Tutino emerged as Napoli's brightest attacking prospect. The 18 year old attacking mid was loaned to Vicenza in Serie B this summer and looked primed to ride his momentum to a strong season and become a beacon for Napoli's future... and then in his first match for the Biancorossi he tore his ACL.

It was a huge setback for the young attacker, but to his credit, Tutino has done nothing but fight and persevere, much like fellow wounded Napoli attacker Lorenzo Insigne. Now, after months of work, training, and conditioning, Tutino is finally healthy and ready to rock again.

Unfortunately, he won't be doing it with Vicenza. The Serie B club has, understandably, moved on with their roster and plans for who fills what roles in the squad for the season, and no longer have a regular place for Tutino in their side. That's left Napoli with a need to find Tutino a new place to play for the rest of the season, and Lega Pro side Gubbio has stepped up to the task.

The deal, first reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, takes Tutino to Italy's third division. While that won't give Tutino quite the same challenge Napoli were hoping for at the beginning of the season, taking a bit of a step back while he makes his way back to full health and fitness after such a major injury is a smart play.

Gubbio, whose sporting director confirmed that the loan is close and could be completed early next week, is a fairly good side for the division. They stand in 8th place in Lega Pro group B, and are just seven points out of a promotion playoff place after 21 matches. Tutino should slot in to their attacking rotation fairly quickly and give them a boost in terms of pace and quality, hopefully giving them the push they need to win promotion to Serie B for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Tutino has played for various Italian youth national teams 39 times already in his career and scored seven goals, including five in 28 U17 appearances.