Cristiano Piccini

Cristiano Piccini
Piccini with Valencia in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-09-26) 26 September 1992
Place of birth Florence, Italy
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position Defender
Youth career
1997–2002 Sporting Arno
2002–2011 Fiorentina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2015 Fiorentina 1 (0)
2011–2012 → Carrarese (loan) 32 (1)
2012–2013 → Spezia (loan) 30 (0)
2013–2014 → Livorno (loan) 20 (0)
2014–2015 → Betis (loan) 12 (0)
2015–2017 Betis 39 (2)
2017–2018 Sporting CP 24 (0)
2018–2022 Valencia 34 (2)
2020–2021 → Atalanta (loan) 1 (0)
2022 Red Star Belgrade 10 (0)
2022–2024 1. FC Magdeburg 30 (5)
2024 Sampdoria 10 (0)
2024–2025 Atlético San Luis 7 (0)
2025 Yverdon 5 (1)
Total 255 (11)
International career‡
2011 Italy U19 5 (1)
2011–2012 Italy U20 7 (0)
2013 Italy U21 1 (0)
2018–2019 Italy 3 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 8 September 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 23 March 2019

Cristiano Piccini (Italian pronunciation: [kriˈstjaːno pitˈtʃiːni]; born 26 September 1992) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a defender.

Club career

Fiorentina

Born in Florence, Piccini joined Fiorentina's youth setup in 2002, aged ten, after starting it out at Sporting Arno. On 5 December 2010, he made his first team – and Serie A – debut, coming on as a substitute for Manuel Pasqual in a 1–0 home win against Cagliari.[2]

On 30 August 2011, Piccini was loaned to third division club Carrarese, in a season-long deal.[3] He scored his first professional goal on 4 April of the following year, netting the first in a 3–1 home loss against Virtus Lanciano.[4]

The following season, Piccini joined Spezia of Serie B on loan until the end of the season.[5] After being an undisputed starter, he was loaned to the top level's Livorno, with a buyout clause.[6]

Betis

Piccini with Betis in 2015

On 27 August 2014, Piccini moved to Spanish Segunda División side Real Betis.[7] He made his debut on 7 September, starting in a 4–1 away loss against SD Ponferradina in which he played a part in Jorge Molina's goal,[8] and made 11 more appearances as they won the title.

Piccini signed a permanent four-year deal with the Verdiblancos on 9 July 2015, with Fiorentina holding a buyback option.[9] He made his La Liga debut on 23 August, starting in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal CF.[10]

On 8 January 2017, Piccini scored his first top-flight goal to conclude a 2–0 win over CD Leganés at the Estadio Benito Villamarín,[11] and followed it two months later to open a 1–1 draw at Deportivo de La Coruña.[12] He was also sent off twice over the course of the season, the first coming after 16 minutes of a 3–1 loss at SD Eibar for a foul on Takashi Inui.[13]

Sporting CP

On 18 May 2017, Piccini signed a five-year contract with Sporting CP.[14] He made his debut for the club on 6 August, as the Primeira Liga season began with a 2–0 away win against C.D. Aves.[15]

Piccini played four games as Sporting won the Taça da Liga. This included the final on 27 January 2018, in which he played all 120 minutes of a 1–1 draw before defeating Vitória F.C. on penalties.[16] On 31 March, he was sent off in a 1–0 loss away to S.C. Braga.[17]

Valencia

On 23 July 2018, Piccini returned to La Liga, signing for Valencia for a fee of around €10 million.[18] In his debut season, he made 37 appearances, mostly as a starter, and scored a last-minute winner in a 2–1 home win over SD Huesca on 23 December.[19] Seven of these games were in the victorious Copa del Rey run, including 18 minutes as a substitute for Kévin Gameiro in the 2–1 final win over FC Barcelona on 25 May 2019; the result was Valencia's first honour since 2008.[20]

In August 2019, just two games into the new season, Piccini suffered a fractured kneecap while in training, an injury that would leave him out of the squad until the end of year.[21] He remained sidelined for the whole season, undergoing another operation in May 2020.[22]

Loan to Atalanta

On 9 September 2020, Piccini joined Italian Serie A club Atalanta on loan with an option to buy.[23] The recovery from his kneecap injury delayed his debut until 21 November, when he played in a 0–0 away draw to Spezia. This turned out to be his only appearance for the Bergamo side, as Valencia reached an agreement for his early return in January 2021.[24]

Red Star Belgrade

On 15 January 2022, Piccini was released from Valencia and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Serbian club Crvena Zvezda.[25]

1. FC Magdeburg

In September 2022 Piccini joined German club 1. FC Magdeburg of the 2. Bundesliga as a free agent.[26] On 29 January 2024, Piccini's contract with Magdeburg was terminated by mutual consent.[27]

Sampdoria

In January 2024 31, Piccini joined Italian club Sampdoria UC of the Serie B as a free agent, with a six-month contract, so he left the team on June 30.[28]

Atlético San Luis

In July 2024 Piccini joined Mexican club Atlético San Luis of the Liga MX as a free agent.[29] On February 7, 2025, he left the team by mutual agreement after he considered that he did not have the performance required by the team.[30]

Yverdon

On 18 February 2025, Piccini signed with Yverdon in Switzerland until the end of the season.[31]

International career

Piccini was given his first senior call-up for Italy in October 2018 by manager Roberto Mancini, following injuries to several players in the team.[32] He made his senior debut for the national team on 10 October, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute for Alessandro Florenzi in a 1–1 friendly draw against Ukraine in Genoa.[33]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 17 January 2025[34]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fiorentina 2010–11 Serie A 1000——10
Carrarese (loan) 2011–12 Lega Pro Prima Divisione 32100——321
Spezia (loan) 2012–13 Serie B 30000——300
Livorno (loan) 2013–14 Serie A 20010——210
Real Betis (loan) 2014–15 Segunda División 12030——150
Real Betis 2015–16 La Liga 16020——180
2016–17 23221——253
Total 39241——433
Sporting CP 2017–18 Primeira Liga 240204010[a]0400
Valencia 2018–19 La Liga 23170—8[b]0381
2019–20 2000——20
2020–21 3000——30
2021–22 6120——81
Total 34290—80512
Atalanta (loan) 2020–21 Serie A 1000——10
Red Star Belgrade 2021–22 Serbian SuperLiga 10020—2[c]0140
1. FC Magdeburg 2022–23 2. Bundesliga 174———174
2023–24 13120——151
Total 30520——325
Sampdoria 2023–24 Serie B 100——1[d]0110
Atlético San Luis 2024–25 Liga MX 7000——70
Career total 250102314021029811
  1. ↑ Appearances in the Champions League
  2. ↑ Three appearances in the UEFA Champions League and five in UEFA Europa League
  3. ↑ Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  4. ↑ Appearance in promotion play-off

International

As of match played 23 March 2019[35]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Italy 201820
201910
Total30

Honours

Betis

Sporting CP

Valencia

Red Star Belgrade

References

  1. ↑ "Cristiano Piccini | Site oficial do Sporting Clube de Portugal". Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "Fiorentina 1–0 Cagliari" (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 5 December 2010. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  3. ↑ "Ufficiale, Piccini e Rosaia in prestito alla Carrarese" [Official, Piccini and Rosaia on loan to Carrarese] (in Italian). Firenze Viola. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Carrarese–Lanciano 1–3: Pavoletti stende i toscani" [Carrarese–Lanciano 1–3: Pavoletti extends Tuscans run] (in Italian). TuttoSport 24 Ore. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Ufficiale, Spezia: dalla Fiorentina arriva in prestito Piccini" [Official, Spezia: from Fiorentina arrives on loan Piccini] (in Italian). Calcio News 24. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Livorno, presi Bardi, Benassi e Piccini" [Livorno, takes Bardi, Benassi and Piccini] (in Italian). Tuttosport. 9 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Piccini, un refuerzo llegado de Italia" [Piccini, an addition arriving from Italy] (in Spanish). Betis' official website. 27 August 2014. Archived from the original on 31 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Chaparrón en El Toralín" [Showers in El Toralín]. Estadio Deportivo (in Spanish). 7 September 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "El Betis hace oficial el fichaje del lateral italiano Cristiano Piccini" [Betis turns official the signing of Italian full back Cristiano Piccini] (in Spanish). Marca. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "Rubén Castro llega justo a tiempo" [Rubén Castro arrives just in time] (in Spanish). Marca. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "El Betis descorcha a un Leganés sin gas" [Betis uncork a flat Leganés]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "Un punto de polémica" [A controversial point]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 March 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  13. ↑ "La expulsión de Piccini hunde al Betis" [Piccini's expulsion sinks Betis]. ABC (in Spanish). 25 December 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "Cristiano Piccini assina pelo Sporting CP" [Cristiano Piccini signs for Sporting CP] (in Portuguese). Sporting CP. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  15. ↑ "Gelson bisa na estreia vitoriosa do Sporting no Campeonato Português" [Gelson scores a brace in Sporting's victorious start to the Portuguese Championship] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  16. 1 2 "Vitória de Setúbal - Sporting, Final da Taça da Liga" (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "Resumo – SC Braga vence Sporting e luta pelo terceiro lugar fica ao rubro" [Summary – SC Braga beat Sporting and fight for third place is red hot]. O Minho (in Portuguese). 31 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  18. ↑ Iacobellis, Giacomo (23 July 2018). "UFFICIALE: Valencia, preso Cristiano Piccini dallo Sporting CP" [OFFICIAL: Valencia, signed Cristiano Piccini from Sporting CP] (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  19. ↑ "Piccini's last-minute goal secures Valencia's 2-1 win over Huesca in La Liga". EFE. 23 December 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  20. 1 2 Law, Matt (25 May 2019). "Result: Valencia beat Barcelona to land Copa del Rey title". Sports Mole. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  21. ↑ "Italia, Piccini dà forfait: frattura alla rotula" [Italy, Piccini withdraws: fractured kneecap]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 28 August 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  22. ↑ "Piccini vuelve a ser operado de la rodilla" [Piccini will have a knee operation again] (in Spanish). Levante EMV. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  23. ↑ "UFFICIALE: Atalanta, Piccini nuovo rinforzo per Gasperini. Arriva in prestito".
  24. ↑ "Official statement Cristiano Piccini". Valencia CF. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  25. ↑ "Кристијано Пићини ново појачање" (in Serbian). crvenazvezdafk.com. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  26. ↑ "Piccini und Bockhorn: Zwei neue Verteidiger für Magdeburg". kicker (in German). 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  27. ↑ "CRISTIANO PICCINI VERLÄSST DEN 1. FC MAGDEBURG" [CRISTIANO PICCINI IS LEAVING 1. FC MAGDEBURG] (in German). 1. FC Magdeburg. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  28. ↑ "UFFICIALE – Cristiano Piccini è un nuovo giocatore della Sampdoria. Il comunicato". Club Doria 46 (in Italian). 31 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  29. ↑ "¡Benvenuto! Atlético de San Luis presenta a Cristiano Piccini como refuerzo para el AP2024". RÉCORD (in Spanish). 1 July 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  30. ↑ "Atlético San Luis: Cristiano Piccini rescindió su contrato; ¿Por qué renunció?". Soy Fútbol (in Spanish). 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  31. ↑ "UN DÉFENSEUR D'EXPÉRIENCE S'ENGAGE À YS !" [AN EXPERIENCED DEFENDER COMMITS TO YS!] (in French). Yverdon-Sport FC. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  32. ↑ "Uncapped Tonelli and Piccini called up by Italy after trio drop out". FourFourTwo. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  33. ↑ "Piccini: 'Italy dream come true'". Football Italia. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  34. ↑ Cristiano Piccini at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  35. ↑ "Piccini, Cristiano" (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
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