Simone Verdi

{{short description|Italian footballer (born 1992)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}

{{Infobox football biography

| embed =

| name = Simone Verdi

| image = Lens - Torino FC (02-08-2023) 23 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Verdi with Torino in 2023

| full_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|07|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Broni, Italy

| height = 1.74 m{{cite web|url=https://www.bolognafc.it/player/simone-verdi|title=Simone Verdi|publisher=Bologna F.C.|language=Italian|accessdate=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214212526/https://www.bolognafc.it/player/simone-verdi/|archive-date=14 December 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

| position = Attacking Midfielder

| currentclub = Sassuolo
(on loan from Como)

| clubnumber = 99

| youthyears1 = 1998–2003

| youthclubs1 = Audax Travacò

| youthyears2 = 2003–2011

| youthclubs2 = AC Milan

| years1 = 2010–2011

| clubs1 = AC Milan

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2011–2015

| clubs2 = Torino

| caps2 = 16

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2013

| clubs3 = → Juve Stabia (loan)

| caps3 = 20

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2013–2015

| clubs4 = → Empoli (loan)

| caps4 = 66

| goals4 = 6

| years5 = 2015–2016

| clubs5 = AC Milan

| caps5 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2015–2016

| clubs6 = → Eibar (loan)

| caps6 = 9

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2016

| clubs7 = → Carpi (loan)

| caps7 = 8

| goals7 = 3

| years8 = 2016–2018

| clubs8 = Bologna

| caps8 = 62

| goals8 = 16

| years9 = 2018–2020

| clubs9 = Napoli

| caps9 = 22

| goals9 = 3

| years10 = 2019–2020

| clubs10 = → Torino (loan)

| caps10 = 33

| goals10 = 2

| years11 = 2020–2023

| clubs11 = Torino

| caps11 = 37

| goals11 = 2

| years12 = 2022

| clubs12 = → Salernitana (loan)

| caps12 = 15

| goals12 = 5

| years13 = 2022–2023

| clubs13 = → Hellas Verona (loan)

| caps13 = 25

| goals13 = 5

| years14 = 2023–

| clubs14 = Como

| caps14 = 43

| goals14 = 8

| years15 = 2025–

| clubs15 = → Sassuolo (loan)

| caps15 = 9

| goals15 = 2

| nationalyears1 = 2010–2011

| nationalteam1 = Italy U19

| nationalcaps1 = 8

| nationalgoals1 = 2

| nationalyears2 = 2014–2015

| nationalteam2 = Italy U21

| nationalcaps2 = 5

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2017–2018

| nationalteam3 = Italy

| nationalcaps3 = 4

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| pcupdate = 17 May 2025

| ntupdate =

}}

Simone Verdi ({{IPA|it|siˈmoːne ˈverdi}}; born 12 July 1992) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a attacking midfielder for {{Italian football updater|Sassuolo}} club Sassuolo on loan from Como.

Club career

= Early career =

Verdi started playing football with amateur club Audax Travacò, before joining Milan at the age of 11.{{cite web |title=Esordienti Provinciali A 2003/2004 |url=http://www.acmilan.com/MostraInfo.asp?id_info=18945 |work=acmilan.com |publisher=Associazione Calcio Milan |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606090441/http://www.acmilan.com/MostraInfo.asp?id_info=18945 |archivedate=6 June 2004 |accessdate=16 August 2010 |language=Italian |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

He made his professional debut for the club, aged 17, in a Coppa Italia game against Novara, on 13 January 2010.{{cite news|title=First Pippo, then Mathieu |url=http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=114716 |work=acmilan.com |publisher=Associazione Calcio Milan |date=13 January 2010 |accessdate=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117172757/http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=114716 |archivedate=17 January 2010 }} He then made his second appearance two weeks later, in the quarter-final against Udinese, which Milan lost 0–1.{{cite news|title=Bitter elimination |url=http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=115478 |work=acmilan.com |publisher=Associazione Calcio Milan |date=27 January 2010 |accessdate=28 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131074906/http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=115478 |archivedate=31 January 2010 }} While playing for the under-20 squad, the young striker scored his first goal at the San Siro in the return leg of the Primavera Cup final, on 14 April 2010. Milan went on to win the match 2–0, as Verdi also made an assist, and secured the trophy 3–1 on aggregate.{{cite video |date=19 April 2010 |title=This year the youth team are even better! |url=http://milantime.acmilan.com/en-young_world-this_year_the_youth_team_are_even_better_-c-24-0-11371-0 |format= |medium=Web TV production |publisher=Associazione Calcio Milan |accessdate=22 April 2010 }} {{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |title=Il Milan del futuro vola con Verdi e Zigoni |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2010/aprile/15/Milan_del_futuro_vola_con_ga_10_100415017.shtml |newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport |date=15 April 2010 |accessdate=15 August 2010 |language=Italian}} Here, he was nicknamed Verdinho, as his playing style resembled that of a Brazilian.{{cite news |title=Largo ai giovani |url=http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=31200 |author=Maurizio Ferrari |work=milannews.it |date=3 August 2010 |accessdate=4 August 2010 |language=Italian}}

In May 2010, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani announced that Verdi, along with three other teammates, was expected to join the senior team permanently for the 2010–11 season.{{cite news |title=Berlusconi non-molla, anche se Galliani capisce i tifosi: "Abituati a caviale e champagne" |url=http://www.goal.com/it/news/2/serie-a/2010/05/18/1930935/berlusconi-non-molla-anche-se-galliani-capisce-i-tifosi-abituati- |work=goal.com |date=18 May 2010 |accessdate=29 May 2010 |language=Italian}} Subsequently, Verdi signed his first professional contract with the club.{{cite news |title=Milan, Fossati ha firmato e Verdi passa al contratto professionistico |url=http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=29751 |author=Pietro Mazzara |work=milannews.it |date=13 July 2010 |accessdate=4 August 2010 |language=Italian}} However, he continued playing mainly in the youth team.{{cite news |title=Per Verdi si profila una stagione tra Primavera e prima squadra |url=http://www.milannews.it/?action=read&idnotizia=29178 |author=Pietro Mazzara |work=milannews.it |date=7 July 2010 |accessdate=4 August 2010 |language=Italian}}

= Torino =

At the beginning of the 2011–12 season, Verdi transferred to Serie B club Torino in a co-ownership deal for €2.5 million (exchanged with Gianmario Comi and €150,000 cash).{{cite web|url=http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/bilancio2011/pdf/Bilancio_gruppo_Milan_2011.pdf|title=Relazione e Bilancio al 31 Dicembre 2011|date=25 June 2012|accessdate=14 June 2015|publisher=A.C. Milan|language=Italian|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616063502/http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/bilancio2011/pdf/Bilancio_gruppo_Milan_2011.pdf|archivedate=16 June 2015|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |title=Official A.C. Milan press release |url=http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/11831 |work=acmilan.com |publisher=Associazione Calcio Milan |date=1 July 2011 |accessdate=29 August 2011}}{{cite news |title=Verdi al Toro, Comi al Milan |url=http://www.torinofc.it/content/view/8294/61/ |work=torinofc.it |publisher=Torino Football Club |date=30 June 2011 |accessdate=29 August 2011 |language=Italian |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704225526/http://www.torinofc.it/content/view/8294/61 |archivedate=4 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }} He made his official debut for the club in the first league game of the season, a 2–1 away win against Ascoli on 27 August 2011.{{cite news |title=Ascoli–Torino 1–2 |url=http://www.torinofc.it/content/view/8586/61/ |work=torinofc.it |publisher=Torino Football Club |date=27 August 2011 |accessdate=29 August 2011 |language=Italian |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830050427/http://www.torinofc.it/content/view/8586/61/ |archivedate=30 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }} He played 12 games in Serie B in the 2011–12 season with Torino, which finished in 2nd place and gained promotion to Serie A.{{cite web|title=S. Verdi|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/simone-verdi/111753/|work=soccerway.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}}

In 2012–13, he played 4 games in Serie A, making his official debut on 30 September 2012 as a substitute against Atalanta.{{cite web|title=ATALANTA VS. TORINO 1 - 5|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/09/30/italy/serie-a/atalanta-bergamo/torino-fc/1351302/|work=soccerway.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}}

== Loans to Juve Stabia and Empoli ==

On 23 January 2013, he was loaned to Juve Stabia of Serie B for the remainder of the season. In the summer of 2013 the co-ownership agreement between Milan and Torino was renewed for an additional year.{{cite web|title=UFFICIALE: Torino, rinnovate le comproprietà di Barreto, Verdi e Comi|url=http://www.mondopallone.it/2013/06/18/ufficiale-torino-rinnovate-le-comproprieta-di-barreto-verdi-e-comi/|work=mondopallone.it|accessdate=19 April 2014|language=Italian}}

For 2013–14, he was loaned to Empoli, in Serie B.{{cite web|title=UFFICIALE: Verdi in prestito all'Empoli|url=http://www.europacalcio.it/news/ufficiale-verdi-in-prestito-allempoli-18972.html|work=europacalcio.it|accessdate=19 April 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419232956/http://www.europacalcio.it/news/ufficiale-verdi-in-prestito-allempoli-18972.html|archivedate=19 April 2014|df=dmy-all}} He played his first match for the Azzurri during the second round of Coppa Italia; won 5–1 against Südtirol, in which he also scored his first goal. On 23 November 2013, he scored his first goal in Serie B, a 3–1 in a win away at Spezia.{{cite web|title=SPEZIA VS. EMPOLI 1 - 3|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/11/23/italy/serie-b/asd-spezia-calcio-2008/empoli-fc/1555499/|work=soccerway.com|accessdate=19 April 2014}} He closed the season with 5 goals in 39 appearances, contributing to the promotion in Serie A of the Tuscans.{{cite web|title=Serie B 2013/14 Review – Week 42: Empoli Secure Serie A Return On Dramatic Last Day|url=http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/05/serie-b-201314-review-week-42-empoli-secure-serie-a-return-on-dramatic-last-day/|website=forzaitalianfootball.com|date=31 May 2014|publisher=Forzaitaliafootball|accessdate=19 June 2014}}

On 18 June 2014, the co-ownership between Torino and Milan was renewed for a third year,{{cite web|title=Milan, rinnovate le comproprietà di Verdi e Comi con il Torino|url=http://www.gazzettagranata.com/?H8MYKLrZ|website=gazzettagranata.com|accessdate=19 June 2014|language=Italian}} with Verdi loaned to Empoli again. He scored his first goal in Serie A on 7 December 2014, the momentary advantage away to Napoli, finishing 2–2. On 20 January 2015 he scored his first goal in Coppa Italia against A.S. Roma, lost in extra time.

= Return to Milan =

In June 2015, Milan and Torino could not agree on a co-ownership deal. Verdi's future was determined by a blind auction which Milan won. On 14 July 2015, he played in a pre-season friendly against Legnano and scored one goal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/14-07-2015/milan-legnano-5-1-miha-va-ancora-sotto-rimonta-gol-anche-mastour-120560363196.shtml|title = Milan-Legnano 5-1: Miha va ancora sotto e rimonta, in gol anche Mastour| date=2015 }}

== Loans to Eibar and Carpi ==

For the 2015–16 season he was loaned to SD Eibar with the Basque side having an option to buy.{{cite web|url=http://www.sdeibar.com/-/el-mediapunta-simone-verdi-se-incorpora-al-eibar-cedido-del-ac-milan|title=El mediapunta Simone Verdi se incorpora al Eibar, cedido del AC Milán|trans-title=Attacking midfielder Simone Verdi joins Eibar, loaned from Milan|publisher=Eibar's official website|language=es|date=16 August 2015|accessdate=16 August 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924095852/http://www.sdeibar.com/-/el-mediapunta-simone-verdi-se-incorpora-al-eibar-cedido-del-ac-milan|archivedate=24 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}

On 29 January 2016, Verdi was loaned to Carpi on a six-month deal.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

= Bologna =

On 11 July 2016, Bologna completed the signing of Verdi.{{cite news|url=http://www.football-italia.net/87180/bologna-sign-verdi|title=Bologna signs Verdi|newspaper=Football Italia|date=11 July 2016|access-date=2 September 2016}} During the first part of the season he had a strong impact with 4 goals in 9 games.

He signed a new four-year contract on 13 June 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.bolognafc.it/en/verdi-signs-contract-extension/|title=Verdi signs contract extension|date=13 June 2017|access-date=22 June 2017|publisher=Bologna F.C. 1909}} On 4 November 2017, he scored two times from 25-meter free kicks in a home game against Crotone, first time with his left and next time with his right foot.{{cite web| url = https://www.football-italia.net/112342/donadoni-bologna-blame| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023629/https://www.football-italia.net/112342/donadoni-bologna-blame| archive-date = 2017-11-07| title = Donadoni: 'Bologna to blame' {{!}} Football Italia}}

On 21 January Verdi was made captain of Bologna following his decision to decline a move to Napoli in the transfer window. His side beat Benevento 3–0 at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.{{Cite web |url=http://www.italianfootballdaily.com/donadoni-players-decided-make-verdi-captain/ |title=Donadoni: "The players decided to make Verdi captain" | IFD |access-date=22 January 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122181605/http://www.italianfootballdaily.com/donadoni-players-decided-make-verdi-captain/ |url-status=dead }}

= Napoli =

On 11 June 2018, Verdi signed a five-year contract with Napoli for €25 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/122824/official-verdi-signs-napoli|title=Official: Verdi signs for Napoli|publisher=Football Italia|date=11 June 2018}}

= Return to Torino =

On 2 September 2019, during the final minutes of the summer transfer window, Verdi was loaned to Torino for €3 million with an obligation to purchase of €20 million.{{Cite web |url=http://torinofc.it/news/02/09/2019/verdi-al-toro_22511 |title=Verdi al Toro | TORINO FC 1906 SITO UFFICIALE |access-date=3 September 2019 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903005024/http://torinofc.it/news/02/09/2019/verdi-al-toro_22511 |url-status=dead }}

==Loans to Salernitana and Hellas Verona==

On 28 January 2022, he joined Salernitana on loan.{{cite press release|publisher=Salernitana|url=https://www.ussalernitana1919.it/simone-verdi-e-un-nuovo-giocatore-della-salernitana/|title=SIMONE VERDI È UN NUOVO GIOCATORE DELLA SALERNITANA|date=28 January 2022|access-date=28 January 2022|language=it}}

On 1 September 2022, Verdi moved to Hellas Verona on loan with an option to buy and a conditional obligation to buy.{{cite web|publisher=Hellas Verona|url=https://www.hellasverona.it/it/news/simone-verdi-e-gialloblu-video|title=Simone Verdi è gialloblù!|date=1 September 2022|access-date=1 September 2022|language=it}}

=Como=

On 25 August 2023, Verdi signed a contract with Como for two seasons, with an option for a third.{{cite web|publisher=Como|url=https://comofootball.com/simone-verdi-al-como/|title=SIMONE VERDI AL COMO|trans-title=SIMONE VERDI AT COMO|date=25 August 2023|access-date=25 August 2023|language=it}}

==Loan to Sassuolo==

On 3 February 2025, Verdi moved to Sassuolo in Serie B on loan.{{cite web|publisher=US Sassuolo Calcio|url=https://www.sassuolocalcio.it/in-evidenza/simone-verdi-benvenuto-in-neroverde/|title=Simone Verdi, benvenuto in neroverde!|trans-title=Simone Verdi, welcome to black and green!|date=3 February 2025|access-date=4 February 2025|language=it}}

International career

On 22 September 2010, he was called up to the Italy under-19 to play a game against the Serbia under-19.{{cite web |title=Simone Verdi |url=http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=3562&squadra=1 |work=figc.it |publisher=Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio |accessdate=7 December 2010 |language=Italian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116193751/http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=3562&squadra=1 |archive-date=16 January 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

On 31 May 2014, he was called up to the Italy under-21 side{{cite web|title=Under 21, la novità è Simone Verdi|url=http://www.gazzettagranata.com/?ueiyKYf3|website=gazzettagranata.com|accessdate=5 June 2014}} for which he made his debut on 4 June in the 4–0 friendly win over Montenegro.

On 28 March 2017, Verdi made his senior international debut for the Italy national football team, along with four other players, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 friendly away win against the Netherlands.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/28-03-2017/olanda-italia-1-2-eder-bonucci-ribaltano-autogol-romagnoli-190356321961.shtml|title=Olanda-Italia 1-2, Eder e Bonucci ribaltano l'autogol di Romagnoli|trans-title=Holland-Italy 1-2, Eder and Bonucci overturn Romagnoli's own goal|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian|author1=Valerio Clari|date=28 March 2017|accessdate=29 March 2017}}

Style of play

A dynamic and versatile forward or attacking midfielder, Verdi can adapt to any offensive midfield role, both in the centre or on either wing, due to his ambidexterity, although his favoured role is on the right flank; he is also capable of playing as a second striker. He is mainly noted for his dribbling ability, technique and remarkable speed on the ball, as well as his ability to create chances for teammates; he is also capable of finding spaces and make attacking runs from behind. In the 2016–17 Serie A season he was also noted for his shooting power and ability to score goals from long range, including free kicks.[http://awards.milannews.it/?action=scheda&idconcorso=14&idnomina=1864 Milannews Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140223211528/http://awards.milannews.it/?action=scheda&idconcorso=14&idnomina=1864 |date=23 February 2014 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/verdi-a-bologna-tutta-la-stagione-per-dimostrare-di-valere-napol-56964 |title=Verdi, a Bologna tutta la stagione per dimostrare di valere Napoli o Inter |publisher=www.calciomercato.com |language=Italian |author1=Alessandro Cosattini |date=27 December 2017 |accessdate=29 August 2018 }} During his militancy in Napoli, he had declared that he was a natural left.

Career statistics

= Club =

{{updated|match played 25 April 2025}}{{Soccerway|simone-verdi/111753|access-date=11 July 2015}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals
rowspan="3"|AC Milan

|2009–10

|rowspan="2"|Serie A

|0

02000colspan="2"|—20
2010–11

|0

00000colspan="2"|—00
colspan="2"|Total

!0

02000colspan="2"|—20
rowspan="3"|Torino

|2011–12

|Serie B

|12

010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—130
2012–13

|Serie A

|4

020colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—60
colspan="2"|Total

!16

030colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—190
Juve Stabia (loan)

|2012–13

|Serie B

|20

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—200
rowspan="3"|Empoli (loan)

|2013–14

|Serie B

|40

521colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—426
2014–15

|Serie A

|26

122colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—283
colspan="2"|Total

!66

643colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—709
Eibar (loan)

|2015–16

|La Liga

|9

041colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—131
Carpi (loan)

|2015–16

|Serie A

|8

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—83
rowspan="3"|Bologna

|2016–17

|rowspan="2"|Serie A

|28

610colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—296
2017–18

|34

1010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—3510
colspan="2"|Total

!62

1620colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—6416
Napoli

|2018–19

|Serie A

|22

30021colspan="2"|—244
rowspan="1"|Torino (loan)

|2019–20

|rowspan="4"|Serie A

|33

210colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—342
rowspan="4"|Torino

|2020–21

|33

112colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—343
2021–22

|3

110colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—41
2023–24

|1

010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—20
colspan="2"|Total

!70

442colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—746
Salernitana (loan)

|2021–22

|Serie A

|15

5colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—155
Hellas Verona (loan)

|2022–23

|Serie A

|24

500colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—245
rowspan="3"|Como

|2023–24

|Serie B

|34

800colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—348
2024–25

|Serie A

|9

010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—100
colspan="2"|Total

!43

810colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—448
Sassuolo (loan)

|2024–25

|Serie B

|6

100colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—61
colspan="3"|Career total

!361

51206210038358

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

= International =

{{updated|4 June 2018}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
colspan=3|Italy
YearAppsGoals
201720
201820
Total||4||0

Honours

AC Milan

Sassuolo

  • Serie B: 2024–25{{cite web|title=Sassuolo Calcio wins the Serie B championship|url=https://www.mapei.com/ae/en/news-and-articles/event-detail/2025/05/16/sassuolo-calcio-wins-the-serie-b-championship|website=MAPEI|access-date=15 May 2025}}

References

{{Reflist}}