The football world witnessed a seismic shift as Nicolo Zaniolo officially completed his highly anticipated move to Udinese on September 1, 2025. The 26-year-old Italian attacking midfielder has returned to Serie A on a season-long loan deal from Galatasaray, bringing his exceptional talent back to Italian football in what many consider the transfer coup of the summer.
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A Homecoming Six Years in the Making
Nicolo Zaniolo’s journey back to Italian football represents more than just another transfer – it’s a homecoming story that has captured the imagination of football fans across the peninsula. The versatile attacking midfielder, who can operate as both a central playmaker and right winger, joins Udinese on a loan deal that runs until June 30, 2026, with an option for the Friulian club to make the move permanent.
Udinese described the acquisition as “the icing on the bianconeri market cake”, emphasizing that this is a major signing for Udinese, considering the player’s status and the competition that the club had to outperform to secure the player.
Transfer Details and Financial Structure
The intricate negotiations between Udinese and Galatasaray resulted in a carefully structured deal that benefits all parties involved.
| Transfer Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan Fee | €2.5 million paid to Galatasaray |
| Loan Duration | Until June 30, 2026 |
| Purchase Option | €10 million with 10% sell-on clause |
| Potential Contract | Until 2029 if option is exercised |
| Jersey Number | 10 |
According to the agreement, Udinese Calcio S.p.A. will pay our company a temporary transfer fee of 2,500,000 Euros, as confirmed by Galatasaray’s official statement. The Turkish club has also secured a 10% sell-on clause for any future transfer, demonstrating the long-term value they still see in the Italian international.
The Significance of the Number 10 Jersey
In a move that underscores Udinese‘s faith in their new signing, Nicolo Zaniolo is going to wear Udinese’s iconic number 10 shirt. This symbolic gesture places enormous expectations on the shoulders of the Italian playmaker, as the number 10 jersey carries significant weight in Italian football culture, traditionally reserved for the team’s most creative and influential players.
Zaniolo’s Remarkable Career Journey
Nicolo Zaniolo‘s career path reads like a modern football odyssey. Born in Massa, Tuscany, his professional journey has taken him across multiple continents and top-tier leagues:
Youth Development and Early Career
- Fiorentina Youth System: Where his talent was first recognized
- Virtus Entella: Professional debut in Serie B at age 17
- Inter Milan: Signed for €1.8 million plus bonuses in 2017
Rise to Prominence at Roma
Zaniolo’s breakthrough came at AS Roma, where he arrived as part of the deal that sent Radja Nainggolan to Inter Milan. His performances in the Eternal City established him as one of Italy’s most promising talents, culminating in him being named Serie A Young Player of the Year for 2018-19.
International Recognition
The attacking midfielder’s rapid rise earned him international recognition, with his debut for the Italian national team at the age of 19, in March 2019, at Bluenergy Stadium in the match Italy v Finland, which ended 2-0. Remarkably, this debut came at what is now his new home stadium, adding a poetic dimension to his Udinese signing.
Recent Challenges and Loan Spells
| Season | Club | League | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 16 | 5 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | Aston Villa (Loan) | Premier League | Limited | – | – |
| 2023-24 | Atalanta (Loan) | Serie A | Various | – | – |
| 2023-24 | Fiorentina (Loan) | Serie A | Various | – | – |
The past few seasons have seen Nicolo Zaniolo struggle with consistency and injuries, leading to multiple loan moves. Injuries derailed his career. He has not featured for Italy since being ruled out of last year’s European Championship after breaking his metatarsal while on loan at Aston Villa.
Why Udinese Represents the Perfect Opportunity
Udinese‘s acquisition of Nicolo Zaniolo represents a calculated risk with enormous potential rewards. The Friulian club, known for developing young talent and competing punching above their weight in Serie A, provides the ideal environment for the Italian international to rediscover his best form.
Tactical Fit Under Gattuso
The appointment of Gennaro Gattuso as head coach played a crucial role in convincing Zaniolo to join Udinese. Convinced by Gennaro Gattuso to return to Italy, but also by those around him, Nicolò Zaniolo finally gave the green light while the two clubs were discussing.
Development Opportunity
At 26, Nicolo Zaniolo is entering what should be his prime years. Udinese‘s track record of improving players and providing them with consistent playing time makes this move mutually beneficial. The club’s faith in him is evident from their willingness to hand him the prestigious number 10 shirt.
Transfer Window Context
The signing of Nicolo Zaniolo caps off an ambitious transfer window for Udinese. The deal was described as “the cherry on the cake” of its transfer window, which saw it also sign Alessandro Zanoli and Idrissa Gueye on loan deals on transfer deadline day.
This strategic approach demonstrates Udinese‘s ambition to compete at a higher level in Serie A while maintaining their reputation as a club that provides opportunities for players to resurrect or elevate their careers.
What This Means for Serie A
The return of Nicolo Zaniolo to Serie A adds significant quality and intrigue to the 2025-26 season. His combination of technical ability, physical presence, and creative vision could prove decisive in Udinese‘s quest for European competition qualification.
The Italian international’s presence also strengthens the overall quality of Serie A, as he is one of the best Italian footballers of his generation, according to Udinese‘s official statement.
Future Implications and Expectations
With the permanent option set at €10 million, Udinese has secured a potentially transformative player at a reasonable price point. Should Nicolo Zaniolo rediscover his best form, this could prove to be one of the shrewdest signings in recent Serie A history.
The Italian international’s return to his home country, combined with the trust shown by Udinese in giving him the number 10 shirt, sets the stage for what could be a career-defining season. For Udinese, success with Zaniolo could elevate the club’s profile and attract further quality signings in future transfer windows.
Now our stadium is ready to welcome him and get fired up watching him play, as Udinese officially welcomed their new star signing, setting expectations high for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
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FAQs
How much did Udinese pay for Nicolo Zaniolo?
Udinese paid Galatasaray a loan fee of €2.5 million for Nicolo Zaniolo, with an option to buy for €10 million plus a 10% sell-on clause.
What jersey number will Nicolo Zaniolo wear at Udinese?
Nicolo Zaniolo will wear the iconic number 10 jersey at Udinese, demonstrating the club’s faith in his abilities and creative talents.
How long is Nicolo Zaniolo’s loan deal with Udinese?
The loan deal runs until June 30, 2026, giving Udinese nearly two full seasons to evaluate the player before deciding on the permanent option.
Has Nicolo Zaniolo played at Udinese’s stadium before?
Yes, remarkably, Zaniolo made his Italy national team debut at Bluenergy Stadium in March 2019 during Italy’s 2-0 victory over Finland.
What position does Nicolo Zaniolo play?
Nicolo Zaniolo is a versatile attacking midfielder who can play centrally behind the striker or as a right winger, offering tactical flexibility to his team.
