"Gigi" Buffon now a PokerStars ambassador

PRESS RELEASE) -- PokerStars is pleased to welcome a new member to its team of International Ambassadors – Italian national goalkeeper Gianluigi 'Gigi' Buffon.

Buffon, the current Juventus FC goalkeeper and a member of the Italian World Cup winning team in 2006, will head a new PokerStars.it advertising campaign aimed at Italian players.

Buffon is familiar with taking centre stage. He has been named 'Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year' a record nine times and has captained the national team. He will also be part of the Italian squad at this year's World Cup in South Africa.

"It's a union that combines the qualities often found in both sport and poker – those of skill, hard work and mental concentration. It also highlights that the very best players relish the challenge, whether it's on the football pitch or at the poker table – a passionate pursuit of victory," stated Barbara Beltrami, PokerStars' Italian Country Manager.

Buffon can't wait to get stuck in to his new role. "I love living life to the full," he said. "I know there will be many commitments, but I love playing poker and the opportunity to join Italy's (and the worlds) largest poker site is an honour 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."

"It is truly a pleasure for us to have Gigi Buffon as an Ambassador for PokerStars.it," said Beltrami. "His sporting and competitive spirit embodies the values of our brand and we feel very proud that the number one goalkeeper in the world decided to represent the number one poker site in Italy."