PSG star Marco Verrati buys £9,000 computer that helps sick kid communicate after original was stolen by ruthless thieves
Italian stepped in after reading about an appeal by the boy's father for the return of the specially-adapted laptop and software which had been pinched from school in Bologna
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN midfield maestro Marco Verratti has shown his softer side off the pitch by paying for a £9,000 replacement computer to help a sick boy communicate again.
nine-year-old Andrea D’Osso’s world was turned upside down when cowardly thieves twice burgled the school he attends in Bologna, Italy.
Among the items they pinched were computers, projects and special equipment that allows little Andrea to speak to his teachers and school pals.
This was where Italy international Verratti - who plays for moneybags PSG and reportedly earns £136,000 a week - stepped in.
The 25-year-old heard about the heart-breaking story through an appeal sent out by Andrea’s father Gianluca to return the equipment and the software which is specially tailored for his son.
And touched by the plight of the youngster, Verratti organised for funds to be transferred to the school.
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His identity was revealed by the Corriere de Bologna newspaper with dad Gianluca then confirming the anonymous benefactor was indeed the central midfielder.
He said: “I thanked him personally over the phone.
“We said that, when we have the chance, we’ll find a way for him to meet Andrea. It’d be an honour for us.”
Verrati started his career with hometown club Pescara before joining PSG in 2012 on a five-year contract.
Earlier this summer he was linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester City.