Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: While playing for the local youth team of San Vendemiano since the age of 7 , ( 17 ) Del Piero used to play as a goalkeeper because he could play a lot more football that way .
Simplified: While playing for the local youth team of San Vendemiano since the age of 7 , Del Piero used to play as a goalkeeper because he could play a lot more football that way .