Manuel Pucciarelli (born 17 June 1991) is an Italian footballer who last played as a second striker or attacking midfielder for A-League club Melbourne City.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1991-06-17) 17 June 1991 (age 31) | ||
| Place of birth | Montemurlo, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Second striker, attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997–2001 | Jolly Montemurlo | ||
| 2001–2011 | Empoli | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2019 | Empoli | 164 | (21) |
| 2012 | → Gavorrano (loan) | 17 | (10) |
| 2017–2019 | → Chievo (loan) | 32 | (2) |
| 2019–2021 | Chievo | 9 | (2) |
| 2020 | → Pescara (loan) | 9 | (1) |
| 2021 | → Dibba Al Fujairah (loan) | 12 | (3) |
| 2021–2022 | Melbourne City | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:09, 25 April 2022 (UTC) | |||
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]
Pucciarelli is a second striker, who can also play as an attacking midfielder.[13] He is good at creating attacking opportunities for his teammates, and is known for his endurance and pressing the opposing ball carrier.[14]
Melbourne City FC – current squad | |
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