“There is the option of being loaned out. The directors are discussing it. I’ll go back into pre-season and see how it is and where I fit in.

“I’ll see if there’s the opportunity for me to play at least half the games. If not, I’ll go on loan. They have said they want to keep me.”

Cleur against Inter Milan Under-19s

Virtus, who are one of the smallest clubs in Italy’s second tier, finished 11th in Serie B in 2016-17, having punched above their weight and claimed a ninth-place finish in 2015-16.

Cleur, whose father is Anglo-Indian and mother is Italian, joined the club in December 2015 but battled during his first six months with injury, homesickness and passport issues.

He acknowledged he didn’t want to return ahead of the 2016-17 season, but did and started training with the first team in August, appearing on the bench in Serie B two months later.

The ex-Marconi junior, who has never represented Australia at under-age level, made his debut as an 84th minute substitute on the final day of the season.