US LECCE NEWS

Remi Oudin - Heading back to Lecce Oudin is in town to take the medicals and complete his permanent move back to Lecce, the club announced.

Impact Oudin had a strong second half last season as an offensive-minded central midfielder and will try to pick up where he left off, although the new coach might have different ideas about his role. He tallied three goals, 38 shots (13 on target), 30 chances crated, and 113 crosses (33 accurate) in 31 appearances (12 starts). His arrival will impact Hamza Rafia, Mohamed Kaba, and Lameck Banda depending on where he'll feature.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Giacomo Faticanti - Moves to Lecce Faticanti has joined Lecce on a permanent deal from Roma, the clubs announced.

Impact Faticanti debuted in Europa League last season and has mostly played at the youth level so far. He'll be a deep option in the midfield in the early going. Joan Gonzalez, Ylber Ramadani, Hamza Rafia, and Mohamed Kaba currently top their pecking order at the position.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Returns to full training Venuti (shoulder) trained without limitations Wednesday, Lecce informed.

Impact Venuti had to skip the opener due to a shoulder bruise but avoided structural damage and is fully on track to be an option for the second game against Fiorentina Sunday, although it'll be tough for him to unseat starter Valentin Gendrey at first.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Avoids injury Banda (ankle) trained fully Tuesday, Lecce announced.

Impact Banda escaped without a meaningful problem after subbing out in the opener and will be ready to go for the second match. He'll face competition from Federico Di Francesco, who scored off the bench.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Baschirotto - Logs three clearances versus Lazio Baschirotto had three clearances and one block and won one duel in Sunday's 2-1 victory versus Lazio.

Impact Baschirotto didn't need to overextend himself to limit the damage to one goal against a quality frontline, as Lazio didn't push after getting an early lead. He scored three times and contributed to six clean sheets last season.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Concedes once against Lazio Falcone had three saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Lazio.

Impact Falcone couldn't catch an early finish by Ciro Immobile but denied a second one that could have potentially sealed the game with an incredible save with his foot in the second half, setting the stage for his side's comeback. He returned on a permanent deal after a solid season in 2022/2023. Lecce will visit Fiorentina Sunday.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hamza Rafia - Serviceable in Lazio game Rafia generated two shots (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-1 win versus Lazio.

Impact Rafia was a useful cog in the final third but didn't have an overly flashy performance. He provided assists in spades in the lower leagues, but he hasn't completely taken over set pieces for his new team just yet. He'll face competition from fellow newcomer Mohamed Kaba and incumbent Alexis Blin and Youssef Maleh.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ylber Ramadani - Leads team in attempts in opener Ramadani won five duels, had one interception, and recorded six shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 win against Lazio.

Impact Ramadani was surprisingly active on offense and paced his team in shots despite his position, although he came close to scoring just once. He's substituting for departed staple Morten Hjulmand.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lameck Banda - Subs off late versus Lazio Banda drew three fouls and had three shots (two on goal) and three chances created in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Lazio before leaving with an apparent ankle injury, Quotidiano Sp...

Impact Banda had a peppy display but lacked some touch in the box. He was already scheduled to exit and seemingly turned his ankle on his last play. He'll be assessed ahead of Sunday's clash with Fiorentina.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gabriel Strefezza - Takes five shots versus Lazio Strefezza registered five shots (one on goal), four crosses (two accurate), three key passes, and three corners in Sunday's 2-1 victory versus Lazio.

Impact Strefezza starred as a false-nine and only missed the end product, and some aim, in this one, as he contributed abundantly in all the offensive categories. Regardless of the position, he's poised to stay one of the top weapons for Lecce.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Antonino Gallo - Provides assist versus Lazio Gallo (ankle) won one duel and assisted once to go with two crosses (one accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-1 victory versus Lazio.

Impact Gallo didn't get the start due to a small injury, but he contributed to both goals off the bench, assisting Pontus Almqvist directly, while he wasn't credited with a second helper because his feed to Federico Di Francesco was deflected by an opponent. Patrick Dorgu fared decently but he'll likely get the nod against Fiorentina Sunday.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Di Francesco - Completes comeback versus Lazio Di Francesco won one duel and scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in 13 minutes in Sunday's 2-1 win versus Lazio.

Impact Di Francesco didn't play a lot but was in the right place at the right time to punch in a cross by Antonino Gallo to help his team claim the three points. He opened the season behind Pontus Almqvist, who also scored, and Lameck Banda but capitalized on his minutes.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pontus Almqvist - Scores in Serie A debut Almqvist drew two fouls and scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal) and three crosses (one accurate) in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Lazio.

Impact Almqvist quickly asserted himself as one of the main offensive threats for Lecce, had a lot of touches, and leveled the game with a crafty shot from the edge of the box. He was productive at Pogon Szczecin and appears to have settled in a hurry.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Ruled out for opener Venuti (shoulder) didn't make Lecce's squad list to face Lazio Sunday.

Impact Venuti will miss the first Serie A match due to a shoulder sprain that has been bothering him for a while. Valentin Gendrey will get the nod at right-back while youngster Mats Lemmens will serve as the deputy.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Antonino Gallo - Called up for Lazio tilt Gallo (ankle) made Lecce's squad list to face Lazio Sunday, and coach Roberto D'Aversa stated that "he's 100 percent recovered."

Impact Gallo turned his ankle in a cup match but avoided significant problems and could retain his starting job in the opener unless the gaffer prefers playing it safe. His backup is Patrick Dorgu. He tallied one assist, 38 chances created, 89 crosses (26 accurate9, and 67 clearances in 32 appearances last season.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Krstovic - Heads to Lecce Krstovic is in town to take the medicals and put pen to paper on his move from FK Dac, Lecce announced.

Impact Krstovic tallied 26 goals and four assists in 35 appearances in Serbia and in the European Conference League last season. He'll have a shot at being the top offensive option for Lecce following the departures of Lorenzo Colombo and Assan Ceesay, although he'll have to adjust to his new surroundings, and they have been experimenting with a false-nine in the pre-season.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Antonino Gallo - Suffers ankle injury Gallo sprained his ankle in Coppa Italia but, while the joint swelled up, he avoided ligament damage, Lecce announced.

Impact Gallo will likely be forced to miss time at the start of the season since he has less than a week to recover, but the injury isn't long-term. Since Lorenzo Venuti (shoulder) is banged up as well, the only healthy option at left-back is starlet Patrick Dorgu.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Suffers shoulder injury Venuti has picked up an AC joint sprain in the left shoulder during a friendly, Lecce announced.

Impact Venuti is in danger of missing time at the start of the season, but the problem isn't long-term. He joined to compete with Valentin Gendrey at the right-back position.

JULY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wladimiro Falcone - Back at Lecce Falcone has returned to Lecce on a permanent deal from Sampdoria, the club announced.

Impact Falcone heads back to the side where he spent the previous campaign even though Sampdoria had initially bought him back following the loan spell. He had a strong first season as a starter in Serie A, allowing 46 goals, making 113 saves, keeping six clean sheets, and saving one PK in 38 appearances.

JULY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hamza Rafia - Moves to Lecce Rafia has signed a two-year contract with an option upon joining from Pescara, Lecce announced.

Impact Rafia is coming off a strong season in Serie C, where he logged three goals and 14 assists in 33 matches. While he was playing in the third division, he's not a youngster, so the adjustment period might not be that long. He could have a meaningful role if Lecce fail to bring back Remi Oudin.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Venuti - Signs with Lecce Venuti has agreed to a two-year contract with an option, Lecce announced.

Impact Venuti departed Fiorentina at the end of his contract in June. He already played at Lecce in Serie B in previous years. He had a limited role int he past season, tallying just 17 appearances (nine starts) and logging eight key passes, 37 crosses (nine accurate), and 18 tackles. He'll alternate with Valentin Gendrey, who's not a lock to stay since he's drawing interest from bigger clubs.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marin Pongracic - Completes permanent Lecce move Pongracic has signed a three-year contract with Lecce after transferring on a permanent basis from Wolfsburg, the club announced Friday.

Impact Pongracic started all nine of his Serie A appearances last season while on-loan with Lecce, but he's missed all of 2023 so far since undergoing ankle surgery in January. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old center-back will be returning to the Italian side on a full contract after completing a permanent move from Wolfsburg.

JUNE 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pontus Almqvist - Joins Lecce Almqvist has transferred to Lecce on a season-long loan from Rostov, the team announced.

Impact Almqvist played with Pogon Szczecin in Poland in the past season, recording five goals and six assists in 27 matches, putting together his best campaign yet. He previously starred for a few Swedish outfits before spending two years in Russia, failing to break through. He'll be able to feature in all three spots of the offensive trident for Lecce.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Samuel Umtiti - Pretty busy versus Bologna Umtiti had two interceptions, two clearances, and one block in Round 38's 2-3 loss to Bologna.

Impact Umtiti filled it up in the back, but that didn't stop the opponent from scoring three times. He put together a bounce-back campaign once his conditioning was at an acceptable level and stayed healthy for the most part. He'll return to Barcelona and likely look for a new team as Lecce didn't have an option to keep him, plus his wages are too sizeable for them. He posted 52 tackles, 26 interceptions, 77 clearances, and 14 blocks in 25 matches, contributing to six clean sheets.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alessandro Tuia - Unused in final games Tuia didn't get minutes in the last ten matches of the season.

Impact Tuia was the top deputy behind the two starts for a large chunk of the season, but Federico Baschirotto and Samuel Umiti stayed healthy down the stretch, plus Lecce signed a few center-backs in January. He featured seven times, tallying ten tackles, 15 interceptions, 28 clearances, and one block.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE