Manuel Pucciarelli

Manuel Pucciarelli (born 17 June 1991) is an Italian footballer who plays as a second striker or attacking midfielder for Serie C Group B club Vis Pesaro.

Manuel Pucciarelli
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-06-17) 17 June 1991 (age 33)
Place of birthMontemurlo, Italy
Height1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)Second striker, attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
Vis Pesaro
Number7
Youth career
1997–2001Jolly Montemurlo
2001–2011Empoli
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2011–2019Empoli164(21)
2012Gavorrano (loan)17(10)
2017–2019Chievo (loan)32(2)
2019–2021Chievo9(2)
2020Pescara (loan)9(1)
2021Dibba Al Fujairah (loan)12(3)
2021–2022Melbourne City3(0)
2022–Vis Pesaro58(6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 May 2024

Career

Pucciarelli first began playing football in Jolly Montemurlo's youth sector.[1] At 10 years old, he moved to Empoli;[2] he played for their youth team in the 2009–10 Campionato Primavera final, scoring a goal in a 2–1 defeat to Genoa.[citation needed]

On 29 May 2011, Pucciarelli made his first-team debut in a 1–1 draw against Vicenza, replacing Mirko Valdifiori in the 60th minute.[3] On 22 January 2012, he moved on loan to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione side Gavorrano,[4] scoring 10 goals (including a brace against L'Aquila)[5] in 17 appearances.[6]

After his promotion to the Serie A with Empoli, Pucciarelli made his top flight debut against Udinese on 31 August 2014, replacing Levan Mchedlidze in the 83rd minute.[7] He scored his first Serie A goal on 23 September against AC Milan.[8]

On 11 July 2017, Pucciarelli was sent on a two-year loan to Chievo, with obligation for purchase.[9]

On 31 January 2020, Pucciarelli joined Pescara on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[10]

On 20 January 2021, Pucciarelli was loaned to Dibba Al-Furjarah in the UAE First Division League.[11]

In September 2021, Pucciarelli joined Australian club Melbourne City on a two-year deal.[12]

On 22 November 2022, Pucciarelli signed for Serie C club Vis Pesaro as a free transfer, agreeing a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend.[13]

Style of play

Pucciarelli is a second striker, who can also play as an attacking midfielder.[14] He is good at creating attacking opportunities for his teammates, and is known for his endurance and pressing the opposing ball carrier.[15]

References