Aussie-Italian young gun Cristian Volpato has sealed a move from Italian heavyweights Roma to fellow Serie A side Sassuolo.
The deal is reportedly worth €9 million ($14.77m AUD, per GOAL Italia) making it the third-highest transfer fee for an Australian of all time. That comes behind the £15 million base fee paid by Leicester for Harry Souttar in January ($28.5m AUD based on current exchange rates), and the £10m paid by Huddersfield Town to Manchester City for Aaron Mooy in 2017 ($A19m).
Australia has been locked in a fierce tug of war for the 19-year-old playmaker’s services with Italy, who have capped the youngster at youth international level. Volpato turned down a Socceroos call-up for the 2022 World Cup but is still considered in the frame for selection.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said recently he was planning to meet with Volpato again in August as the national team builds towards next year’s Asian Cup.
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Volpato was born and raised in Sydney, before eventually moving to Rome’s academy as a teen. He caught the eye of Italy and Roma great Francesco Totti, joining his management agency before even playing for the senior team.
He made his debut for Roma in December 2021 against fellow giants Inter Milan, and managed two goals in 14 appearances (all competitions) since then, all while learning under legendary manager Jose Mourinho.
Volpato especially thanked Mourinho when he took to social media to write: “Thank you Roma … I don’t know where to start … I just know that I say thank you for how you welcomed me … I arrived that I was a child and together with you I grew up, the road was long … but with you I realised the dream I had … to play in Serie A.”
“I will never forget the emotion of the debut, the warmth of the fans who I will always carry you in my heart!”
“I particularly want to thank Mister Mourinho, the club and all those who work behind the scenes. You will always be in my heart.”
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He joins a Sassuolo side that finished 13th in Italy’s top flight last season, their ninth-straight in the division.
Having struggled to break through to Roma’s first XI, it presents a sensational opportunity for the teen prodigy to earn more first-team minutes and continue his remarkable rise.
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