Luca Ercolani

Luca Ercolani
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-11-25) 25 November 1999
Place of birth Ravenna, Italy
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Pianese
Number 13
Youth career
USD Classe
Ravenna
Rimini
Forlì
Cesena
2016–2021 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Carpi 16 (0)
2021–2022 Catania 13 (0)
2022–2023 Fidelis Andria 3 (0)
2023–2024 Alessandria 18 (0)
2024–2025 Foggia 20 (2)
2025– Pianese 45 (0)
International career
2018–2019 Italy U20 5 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 April 2026

Luca Ercolani (born 25 November 1999) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie C Group B club Pianese.

Club career

Manchester United

Having previously been a gymnast in his early years, Ercolani soon turned his attentions to football.[2] He started his youth career with USD Classe, before moving to Ravenna until 2012.[3] After a stint with Rimini, Ercolani moved to Forlì.[3] He was later signed on loan by Cesena, though I Bianconeri would choose not to sign the player.[4] In July 2016, having been scouted by David Williams a year prior, Ercolani completed a transfer to Premier League club Manchester United.[2][3] He remained with the English club until the start of 2021, appearing at U18, U19, U21 and U23 level; notably featuring in the EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League.[5] Ercolani did train with the first-team squad on numerous occasions under both José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.[3]

During the 2019–20 season, having spent time out with an injury, Ercolani - on the advice of some of the club's coaches - completed his UEFA B coaching qualification.[6][7][8]

Carpi

On 8 January 2021, having previously extended his Manchester United contract until June 2021 in May 2020, Ercolani returned to Italy with Serie C side Carpi; penning terms until June 2022.[9][10][11] He made his senior debut on 20 January during an away match against Matelica, as he featured for the full duration of a 1–0 loss at Stadio Helvia Recina.[5] Further appearances arrived that month versus Sambenedettese and Feralpisalò.[5] Ercolani was sent off for the first time in senior football on 7 February against Imolese.[5] Following the 2020–21 season, Carpi was excluded from the Italian leagues due to debts, making him a free agent.

Catania

On 13 August 2021, he signed a contract with Catania for the term of one season with an optional second year.[12]

On 9 April 2022, he was released together with all of his Catania teammates following the club's exclusion from Italian football due to its inability to overcome a number of financial issues.[13]

Fidelis Andria

On 28 July 2022, Ercolani joined Fidelis Andria.[14]

Alessandria

On 18 August 2023, he reached an agreement with Alessandria on the basis of a one-year contract with an option for a second year.[15]

Foggia

On 30 January 2024, Ercolani moved to Foggia.[16]

Pianese

On 11 January 2025, he joined Pianese.[17]

International career

Ercolani won five caps for Italy at under-20 level, having made his debut in October 2018.[2]

Style of play

Ercolani started out as a striker, though later switched to play as a centre-back after joining Forlì.[2][18] He is also capable of playing at full-back.[2]

Career statistics

As of 2 May 2021.[5]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U21 2020–21 ————1[a]010
Carpi 2020–21 Serie C 16000——00160
Career total 16000——10170
  1. ↑ Appearance in the EFL Trophy

References

  1. ↑ Luca Ercolani at WorldFootball.net
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Chi è Luca Ercolani, da Forlì al rinnovo di contratto con il Manchester United". Fanpage. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Luca Ercolani, il ravennate che ha giocato nel Manchester United". Ravenna & Dintorni. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "Dal Forlì a Old Trafford con l'Under23 dello United: Luca Ercolani, storia di un '99 romagnolo a Manchester". Gianluca Di Marzio. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Luca Ercolani at Soccerway
  6. ↑ "Luca Ercolani taking his coaching badges". Manchester United. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Man Utd defender Luca Ercolani joins Serie C side Carpi". Manchester United. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Calcio, Luca Ercolani è a Ravenna per completare la riabilitazione: "Al Manchester ho marcato Ibra, ma che emozione quando Mourinho mi chiamava per nome"". SettesereQui. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "Luca Ercolani signs new contract with Man Utd". Manchester United. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  10. ↑ "Ufficiale l'arrivo di Luca Ercolani dal Manchester United a titolo definitivo". Carpi. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Ritorno in Italia per Ercolani: dal Manchester United al Carpi". Il Resto del Carlino. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  12. ↑ "Luca Ercolani al Catania: contratto annuale con opzione" (Press release) (in Italian). Catania. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "Delibera del Presidente federale: revocata l'affiliazione al Calcio Catania" (Press release) (in Italian). FIGC. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  14. ↑ "FIDELIS, IL DIFENSORE LUCA ERCOLANI PER LA SQUADRA GUIDATA DA MIRKO CUDINI" (Press release) (in Italian). Fidelis Andria. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "LUCA ERCOLANI NUOVO DIFENSORE GRIGIO" [LUCA ERCOLANI IS A NEW DEFENDER] (Press release) (in Italian). Alessandria. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "MERCATO ALESSANDRIA CALCIO" [ALESSANDRIA FOOTBALL MARKET] (Press release) (in Italian). Alessandria. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "La Pianese accoglie Luca Ercolani" [Pianese welcomes Luca Ercolani] (Press release) (in Italian). Pianese. 11 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "Il ravennate Luca Ercolani rinnova il contratto con il Machester United". Ravenna Web Tv. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
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