Christmas came early for fans of Italian pro side Trentino Volley. On Friday, December 23rd, they announced that superstar Simone Giannelli had extended his contract with the club until at least June 30th, 2020. In an era where stars seemingly change clubs every year or two, this will ensure that the 20-year old will remain with the club that discovered him until at least a few weeks shy of his 24th birthday.

The announcement comes a month after the club announced that head coach Angelo Lorenzetti extended his own contract until 2019, keeping the dynamic pairing together for the remainder of this season plus at least the two after it.

Giannelli was the starting setter on Italy’s silver-medal winning men’s National Team at this summer’s Olympic Games. He ranked 2nd in the tournament with 10.79 sets/set, which was second only to American Micah Christenson.

“What we have reached with Simone is an agreement that makes me look optimistically to the future of this sport club, because Giannelli is a unique volleyball players of its kind, not only for its technical qualities but also for the human ones,” explained the director of Trentino Volley. “In a few years’ time he has become the symbol of this club and of the work we do every day with the youth sector, as Giannelli grew up in our team. We couldn’t receive a better news than this now that Christmas is closer; this is the present we wanted for our supporters. I wish you all a Merry Christmas.”

“In Trento I’ve always felt myself at home, and not because it is a few kilometres far from Bolzano, my hometown. I’m very glad to have extended my contract as well as I’m happy to continue to be part of this sport club because it has always supported me and keep doing it every day,” said Simone Giannelli. “I thank everybody who trust me, from the President to the technical and executive staff, to my team-mates and my supporters. I’m deeply convinced I can still improve and I hope I can contribute to achieve our greatest goals. Trentino Volley is one of the best sport clubs in Italy and in the world: we’ll work together to pursue new important objectives.”

Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

Trentino has won 4 Italian League titles in its history, most recently two seasons ago from 2014-2015. They are the only club in history to have won a treble – a national, continental and world championship in the same season – 2010-2011.