Simone Zaza

Born in Policoro in the Province of Matera, Zaza grew up in Metaponto and began his youth career with Stella Azzurra from Bernalda in 1997. He remained with the organization until 2002, when he moved to the youth academy of Valdera at the age of 11. He remained until 2006, when he was scouted by Serie A side Atalanta, whom he joined shortly after. He remained within the club's youth team for four years and even began to earn senior call-ups towards the end of the 2008–09 Serie A campaign.[https://int.soccerway.com/players/simone-zaza/77386/ Italy - S. Zaza - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway] He made his Serie A debut on 1 March 2009 in a 0–2 home defeat to Chievo Verona as an 86th-minute substitute for Ferreira Pinto.[http://www.espnfc.co.uk/lineups?gameId=251485 Game report by ESPN] He made two further substitute appearances for Atalanta that season, though he remained within the club's youth setup for the entire 2009–10 Serie A campaign.

In July 2010, Zaza transferred from Atalanta to fellow Serie A side Sampdoria on a four-year contract. With the Genoa-based club, he was enlisted in the club's Primavera (under-20) youth team for the 2010–11 season, though he also earned several first team callups, including two substitute appearances against Genoa and Fiorentina during the 2010–11 Serie A campaign. He was promoted to the first team at the conclusion of that season.

On 14 July 2011, Zaza was officially sent out on loan to Juve Stabia in Serie B on what was set to be a season-long deal. After just four appearances and no goals for the club, Sampdoria opted to recall the player during the 2012 January transfer window. On 7 January 2012, the club loaned the player to Lega Pro Prima Divisione side, Viareggio on a six-month deal to provide the youngster with regular first team experience. His stint with the third-division club turned out to be very successful; he managed 11 goals in 18 league appearances, 17 as a starter.

After returning to Sampdoria on 30 June 2012, Zaza joined Ascoli on another season-long loan deal ahead of the 2012–13 Serie B campaign. He officially joined the club on 16 July and made his debut in a 1–3 home loss to Bari on 1 September. Zaza went on to score 18 league goals in 35 Serie B appearances (30 as a starter) en route to becoming the sixth top goalscorer for the season. His goals were unable to prevent Ascoli's relegation as they finished the season 20th in the league table. He returned to Sampdoria on 30 June 2013.

On 9 July 2013, Juventus purchased him outright from Sampdoria for €3.5 million. Simultaneously, he transferred to Sassuolo from Juventus in a co-ownership deal for €2.5 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.juventus.com/juve/it/news/operazioni+gabbiadini+zaza+news+9luglio2013| title=Operazioni di mercato|publisher=juventus.com|date=9 July 2013|access-date=11 September 2014}} He returned to play in Serie A in the first round of the league, with Sassuolo losing to Torino 2–0. On 1 September 2013, during the second round of the league, he scored his first goal in Serie A as the team lost 4–1 to Livorno.[http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/299347/report Match Report – Sassuolo 1 – 4 Livorno | 01 Sep 2013] Thanks to his effort, Sassuolo secured their first point in the Italian top flight, with the goal scored in the fifth day against Napoli, 1–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccermagazine.it/serie-a/testacoda-amaro-al-san-paolo-finisce-1-1-napoli-sassuolo-137408/|title=Testacoda amaro: al San Paolo finisce 1–1 tra Napoli e Sassuolo|publisher=soccermagazine.it|date=25 September 2013|access-date=11 September 2014}}

On 20 June 2014, Sassuolo bought Zaza outright from Juventus for another €7.5 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.juventus.com/wps/wcm/connect/706f4af4-9b1b-45f2-b6d6-3a410c8c240f/comunicato+20062014+accordi+sassuolo+eng.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=706f4af4-9b1b-45f2-b6d6-3a410c8c240f|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030184654/http://www.juventus.com/wps/wcm/connect/706f4af4-9b1b-45f2-b6d6-3a410c8c240f/comunicato+20062014+accordi+sassuolo+eng.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=706f4af4-9b1b-45f2-b6d6-3a410c8c240f|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 October 2014|title=Agreements with Sassuolo Calcio|date=20 June 2013|access-date=20 June 2014|publisher=Juventus FC}} Juventus, however, retained the right to re-purchase Zaza for a reported €15 million by 30 June 2015 and €18 million by 30 June 2016.{{cite news|url=http://gianlucadimarzio.com/serie-a/juventus/zaza-dalla-samp-alla-nazionale-nel-segno-di-paratici-con-quella-doppia-opzione-di-riscatto-per-la-juve/|title=Zaza, dalla Samp alla Nazionale nel segno di Paratici. Con quella doppia opzione di riscatto per la Juve...|date=2 September 2014|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=Di Marzio}}

On 7 July 2015, Juventus announced that they had exercised their option to sign Zaza for €18 million from Sassuolo.{{cite news|url=http://www.juventus.com/it/news/news/2015/zaza---bianconero.php|title=Zaza è bianconero|date=7 July 2015|access-date=7 July 2015|publisher=Juventus FC}} It was reported that the return of Domenico Berardi to Sassuolo for a €10 million fee was part of the deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/calciomercato/2015/06/23-1916145/il_sassuolo_lascia_zaza_e_fa_suo_berardi_la_juve_puo_ricomprarlo_nel_2016/|title=Il Sassuolo "lascia" Zaza e "fa suo" Berardi. La Juve può ricomprarlo nel 2016|date=23 June 2015|access-date=7 July 2015|work=Tuttosport|language=it}} On 23 September 2015, Zaza opened the scoring in the 50th minute on his debut, a 1–1 draw against Frosinone.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/69865|title=Juventus 1 - 1 Frosinone|publisher=Football Italia|date=23 September 2015|access-date=30 November 2015}} On 30 September 2015, he scored the final goal against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League group stage to secure a 2–0 win;{{cite web |last1=Creek |first1=Stephen |title=Juventus 2-0 Sevilla: Morata and Zaza net in comfortable win |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2015/09/30/15871402/juventus-2-0-sevilla-morata-and-zaza-net-in-comfortable-win |website=goal.com |access-date=21 September 2020 |date=30 September 2015}} this was his first Champions League goal.{{cite web|url=http://www.juventus.com/en/news/news/2015/zaza-shares-credit-for-goal-glory.php|title=Zaza shares credit for goal glory|publisher=Juventus.com|date=30 September 2015|access-date=30 November 2015}} He scored the opening two goals of a 4–0 win over cross-city rivals Torino in the Coppa Italia on 16 December.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/77223/coppa-four-star-juve-crush-toro|title=Coppa: Four-star Juve crush Toro|publisher=Football Italia|date=16 December 2015|access-date=16 December 2015}}

On 28 August 2016, West Ham United announced that they had loaned Zaza for a €5 million loan fee, with a €20 million permanent obligation to buy after a certain number of Premier League appearances, plus €3 million in bonuses.{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/August/28-August/Hammers-land-Italy-star-Zaza|title=Hammers land Italy star Zaza|publisher=West Ham United F.C.|date=28 August 2016|access-date=28 August 2016}} He made his debut with the club on 10 September, in a 4–2 home defeat to Watford in the Premier League.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/west-ham-united/371/blog/post/2947880/west-ham-collapse-vs-watford-leaves-slaven-bilic-plenty-of-problems|title=West Ham's collapse vs. Watford leaves Bilic with plenty of problems|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=Vinny Ryan|date=11 September 2016|access-date=12 September 2016}} Zaza made 11 appearances for West Ham, eight in the Premier League and three in the EFL Cup, all without scoring. His last game came on 30 November, in a 1–4 away defeat to Manchester United in the EFL Cup. He developed a knee injury in December and was not selected again before leaving the club in January 2017.

On 15 January 2017, Zaza was signed by La Liga club Valencia on loan,[http://www.valenciacf.com/ver/66237/zaza--nuevo-jugador-del-valencia-cf.html Zaza, nuevo jugador del Valencia CF] Valencia CF (in Spanish) for a €2 million fee, with a €16 million permanent obligation to buy fee after a certain number of first team appearances by 30 June 2017, plus €2 million in bonuses.{{cite web|url=http://www.juventus.com/media/native/investor-relations-docs/english/price-sensitive-press-releases/2015-2016/comunicato%2016012017%20zaza%20eng.pdf|title=Agreement with Valencia for the transfer of player Simone Zaza|date=16 January 2017|access-date=24 January 2017|publisher=Juventus F.C.}} On 21 January, he made his debut with the club in a 2–0 away win against Villarreal.{{cite web|url=http://www.calciomercato.com/news/liga-live-49270|title=Liga: Real campione d'inverno. Debutta Zaza, il Valencia vince col Villarreal|trans-title=Liga: Real winter champion. Zaza makes his debut, Valencia wins against Villarreal|publisher=Calciomercato.com|language=it|date=21 January 2017|access-date=21 February 2017}} On 19 February, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 home win over Athletic Bilbao.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/3064205/barcelona-win-late-with-messi-penalty-nani-zaza-score-in-valencia-win|title=Barcelona win late with Messi penalty; Nani, Zaza score in Valencia win|publisher=ESPN FC|date=20 February 2017|access-date=21 February 2017}} In his next league appearance on 22 February, he scored the opening goal with a notable left footed strike on the turn to help Valencia to a 2–1 home victory over Real Madrid.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/22/valencia-real-madrid-la-liga-match-report|title=Zaza and Orellana condemn Real Madrid to surprise defeat at Valencia|work=The Guardian|date=22 February 2017|access-date=23 February 2017}} On 10 April, Zaza was bought outright by Valencia from Juventus until 2021 for the previous agreed fee, effective after 30 June.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/100921/official-zaza-signs-valencia|title=Official: Zaza signs for Valencia|work=Football Italia|publisher=Tiro Media|date=10 April 2017|access-date=10 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/69099/official-statement-i-simone-zaza.html|title=Official statement I Simone Zaza|date=10 April 2017|access-date=10 April 2017|website=en.valenciacf.com|publisher=Valencia CF}} On 19 September, he scored a hat-trick in under 10 minutes of a 5–0 home win over Málaga.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/90minutes/ct-hoy-zaza-hat-trick-fires-five-star-valencia-into-third-20170919-story.html|title=Zaza hat-trick fires five-star Valencia into third|publisher=chicagotribune.com|date=19 September 2017}}

On 17 August 2018, he was loaned to Torino for €2 million, with a €12 million obligation to buy at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/126367/official-zaza-signs-torino |title=Official: Zaza signs for Torino |work=Football Italia|publisher=Tiro Media|date=17 August 2018}} In the first game of new manager Davide Nicola, he scored two second-half goals to help Torino draw 2–2, having been two goals down at half-time.{{cite web |last=Azzi |first=Marco |url=https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2021/01/22/news/benevento_torino_partita-283827983/ |title=Benevento-Torino 2-2: rimonta targata Zaza, pari al 93' |date=21 January 2021 |access-date=21 January 2021 |work=la Repubblica |publisher=GEDI Gruppo Editoriale |issn=0390-1076 |language=it |trans-title=Benevento 2-2 Torino: Zaza makes a comeback in the 93rd minute}}

On 31 August 2022, Zaza's contract with Torino was terminated by mutual consent.{{cite web|publisher=Torino|url=https://torinofc.it/news/31/08/2022/nota-del-club_29512|title=Nota del Club|date=31 August 2022|access-date=1 September 2022|language=it}}

Zaza has represented Italy in under-16, under-17, and under-19 levels.

On 31 August 2014, he was called up by head coach Antonio Conte as part of the senior team squad for a friendly match against the Netherlands and the first UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying game against Norway. On 4 September, Zaza made his debut with the Italy national team, playing as a starter in a 2–0 win against the Netherlands. He was fouled by Bruno Martins Indi in the ninth minute to win the penalty kick from which Daniele De Rossi scored Italy's second goal in the 2–0 victory.{{cite news|title=Italy 2–0 Netherlands|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29047063|access-date=6 September 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=4 September 2014}} On 9 September, Zaza scored his first goal for the Italy national team in the 16th minute of their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Norway, of a 2–0 victory.{{cite web |last1=Gladwell |first1=Ben |title=Norway-Italy |url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0253-0d7f68d4e861-a58815cbf9e7-1000--solid-italy-kick-off-with-a-win-in-norway/ |website=UEFA |access-date=21 September 2020 |date=9 September 2014}} On 31 May 2016, he was named to Conte's 23-man Italy squad for Euro 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/85206/official-italy-squad-euro-2016|title=OFFICIAL: Italy squad for Euro 2016|publisher=Football Italia|date=31 May 2016|access-date=31 May 2016}} On 17 June, he came off the bench to set-up Éder's match-winning goal against Sweden in the 88th minute of his nation's second group match, which qualified Italy to the Round of 16.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/85982/eder-takes-sweden-down|title=Eder takes Sweden down|publisher=Football Italia|date=17 June 2016|access-date=17 June 2016}} On 2 July, he was brought on in the last few seconds of extra-time to take a penalty in the resulting penalty shoot-out against Germany in the quarter-final match up, which he subsequently missed after a bizarre trot up to the ball, as Italy were defeated in the shoot-out 6–5 and eliminated from the tournament.{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Adams |title=Hector the shoot-out hero as Germany finally defeat Italy |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d81e3c149c5-d7e77fb31e24-1000--germany-finally-defeat-italy-to-stride-into-euro-2016-semis/ |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=2 July 2016 |access-date=3 July 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/86721/italy-out-sudden-death-germany|title=Italy out to sudden death Germany|publisher=Football Italia|date=2 July 2016|access-date=2 July 2016}} In the events after the match, Zaza issued an apology to the fans of the national team stating, "I am sorry to have let the Italian people down. I missed the most important penalty of my life and I will carry this burden with me forever ... I have always taken penalties like that and I was convinced I would score, I had sent him [Manuel Neuer] the wrong way but the ball set off and it went like that."{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12022/10343230/simone-zaza-explains-his-penalty-gaffe-for-italy-at-euro-2016|title=Simone Zaza explains his penalty gaffe for Italy at Euro 2016|publisher=Sky Sports|date=4 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/italy/story/2907299/simone-zaza-sorry-for-letting-down-italy-fans-with-euro-2016-penalty-miss|title=Simone Zaza sorry for 'letting down' Italy fans with Euro 2016 penalty miss|publisher=ESPNFC|date=4 July 2016}}

Zaza was called up to the Italy squad for its May and June 2018 friendlies by the newly appointed Roberto Mancini for the first time since Euro 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/121600/italy-balotelli-mancini-squad|title=Italy: Balotelli in Mancini squad|publisher=Football Italia|date=18 May 2018}} He made an appearance in the last string of friendlies on 4 June against the Netherlands, where he scored the opening goal of a 1–1 draw in Turin.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/122434/zaza-emotional-italy-goal|title=Zaza: 'Emotional at Italy goal'|publisher=Football Italia|date=4 June 2018}}

Zaza is a quick, strong and well-rounded left-footed forward, with solid technique, a powerful shot, and an eye for goal. A physical, tenacious and hard-working player, he is a versatile striker, who is capable of playing both as a centre-forward and off of his teammates as a second striker. Due to his physical attributes, offensive movement, heading accuracy, and his positional sense, he also excels in the air.{{cite web|url=http://www.juvenewsradio.it/scheda-tecnica-di-simone-zaza/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208060228/http://www.juvenewsradio.it/scheda-tecnica-di-simone-zaza/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2015|title=Scheda tecnica di Simone Zaza|publisher=JuveNewsRadio.it|language=it|access-date=7 February 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/simone-zaza-better-vieri-and-able-take-zlatan-taekwondo|title=Simone Zaza: 'Better than Vieri' and able to take on Zlatan at Taekwondo|publisher=FourFourTwo|author1=Greg Lea|date=3 December 2014|access-date=27 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/mercato/articoli/articolo19276.shtml?frommobile|title=Febbre da '90: i talenti italiani|trans-title='90s Fever: the Italian talents|publisher=Sport Mediaset|language=it|date=29 December 2008|access-date=1 February 2017}} His exploits and goals against more illustrious teams while playing for smaller clubs *particularly Sassuolo" gained Zaza the reputation as an ammazza grandi or "giant killer" although much has been credited to him learning how to deal with the pressure of bounce back from his goal drought that followed his international debut the shaving off of his beard.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com.sg/soccer/story/_/id/37413199/sassuolo-become-envy-italian-football-just-12-months | title=Horncastle: Sassuolo the envy of Italy | date=4 February 2015 }}

Since 2022, Zaza has been in a relationship with Angelica Erthal, a Brazilian model; their first child was born in January 2024.{{Cite web |last=Paddy |date=2024-01-15 |title=What Happened To Simone Zaza? The Former West Ham Striker Is Still A Free Agent After 2 Years |url=https://www.attackingfootball.com/what-happened-to-simone-zaza/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz4Hovwu80N/?hl=en&img_index=1 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.instagram.com}}

{{updated|match played 18 March 2022}}{{Soccerway|simone-zaza/77386}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Updated|match played 12 October 2018}}{{NFT player|id=56848|access-date=}}

:Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first.

Juventus

• Serie A: 2015–16
• Coppa Italia: 2015–16
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2015

Individual

• La Liga Player of the Month: September 2017{{cite web|url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/simone-zaza-named-laliga-santander-player-of-the-month-for-september|publisher=La Liga|date=21 October 2017|title=Simone Zaza named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for September|access-date=23 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225040408/http://www.laliga.es/en/news/simone-zaza-named-laliga-santander-player-of-the-month-for-september|archive-date=25 December 2017|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{TuttoCalciatori|Zaza_Simone}}
• [http://aic.football.it/scheda/21061 Career summary] at AIC.football.it {{in lang|it}} {{dead link|date=March 2019}}
• [https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/nazionali-in-cifre/dettaglio-convocato/?calciatoreId=44983&squadraId=12 Simone Zaza] at FIGC.it {{in lang|it}}

{{Italy squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

{{Portal bar|Association football|Italy}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zaza, Simone}}

Category:Living people

Category:1991 births

Category:Sportspeople from the Province of Matera

Category:Footballers from Basilicata

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Italian men's footballers

Category:Serie A players

Category:Serie B players

Category:Premier League players

Category:La Liga players

Category:Atalanta BC players

Category:UC Sampdoria players

Category:SS Juve Stabia players

Category:Ascoli Calcio 1898 FC players

Category:Juventus FC players

Category:US Sassuolo Calcio players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:Valencia CF players

Category:Italy men's international footballers

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

Category:Italian expatriate men's footballers

Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain

Category:Torino FC players

Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen