PokerStars Signs an Italian Soccer Superstar

Gianluigi ’Gigi’ Buffon, the professional goalkeeper for the Italian national soccer team and Juventus will be PokerStars' newest ambassador. The world's largest poker room officially announced on Wednesday, that they have once again signed a world famous sportsman in their line-up of professional sports players.

The 32 year old 2006 world champion made his debut in the Italian Serie A in 1995, as a member of the team Parma. Within six years, he was featured in 168 games, and became a proud member of the national team in 1997.

Juventus signed him in 2001, and he has played a whopping 273 matches in the team since then. He has worn his country’s colors 100 times, and this number is set to increase with the world championship in South Africa this year. This time around, Buffon will not only be a member of the team, but also the captain.

Buffon has been chosen ’Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year’ a record breaking 8 times, and in 2006 he secured the title of ’the best goalkeeper in Europe’.

"I love living life to the full," Buffon said. "I know there will be many commitments, but I love playing poker and the opportunity to join the world's largest poker site is an honor and a great challenge. I can't wait to play against Team PokerStars Pros and I'm ready to have lots of fun playing against everyone who wants to take me on."

Players can challenge Buffon under the user name 'gigibuffon', although this summer, you might find he’ll be absent from the room, spending most of his time on the soccer field.

Buffon adds to the PokerStars sports star line-up of Boris Becker, Mats Sundin and Gael Monfils.