Lorenzo Tonelli Explained

Lorenzo Tonelli
Birth Date:17 January 1990
Birth Place:Florence, Italy
Height:1.83 m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Empoli
Clubnumber:26
Youthyears1:2000–2010
Youthclubs1:Empoli
Years1:2010–2016
Caps1:159
Goals1:14
Clubs1:Empoli
Years2:2016–2020
Caps2:6
Goals2:3
Clubs2:Napoli
Years3:2018–2019
Caps3:19
Goals3:1
Clubs3:Sampdoria (loan)
Years4:2020–2021
Caps4:32
Goals4:1
Clubs4:Sampdoria
Years5:2021–2024
Caps5:15
Goals5:0
Clubs5:Empoli
Nationalyears1:2006
Nationalteam1:Italy U16
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2010
Nationalteam2:Italy U21
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0

Lorenzo Tonelli (born 17 January 1990) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.

Club career

Born in Florence, Tuscany, Tonelli started his professional career at Empoli. He made his debut during the 2010–11 Serie B season, marking his first appearance on 5 September 2010.

On 26 April 2015, Tonelli was punched by Atalanta's Germán Denis after he burst into the Empoli dressing room. Denis was subsequently given a five-match ban for this action against Tonelli.[1]

Tonelli enjoyed his breakthrough in the 2014–15 season under then manager Maurizio Sarri, attracting the attention of some of the top Italian teams. On 23 May 2016, it was announced that Tonelli had signed for Napoli.[2] The transfer fee was reported as being €10 million.[3] On 7 January 2017, Tonelli made his Napoli debut, scoring the match-winning goal in the 95th minute of a 2–1 home win over Sampdoria.[4]

On 17 August 2018, Tonelli joined Serie A side Sampdoria on loan until 30 June 2019.[5]

On 23 January 2020, he joined Sampdoria on another loan until the end of the 2019–20 season, at the end of which Sampdoria will have an obligation to purchase his rights permanently. He also signed a contract with Sampdoria until 30 June 2022.[6]

On 27 August 2021, Tonelli return to Empoli after 5 years.[7]

International career

Under the new regime of Ciro Ferrara, he received his first call-up for Italy U-21 on 11 November 2010.[8] [9] He made his debut on 17 November 2010, replacing Giulio Donati in the second half of the friendly match, winning against Turkey U21 2–1.[10] He was called up for an Italy training camp on 16 May 2016.[11] He was given his first official senior call-up for Italy in October 2018 by manager Roberto Mancini, following injuries to several players in the team.[12]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Empoli2010–11Serie B16010170
2011–1216031191
2012–133641040414
2013–1437320393
2014–15Serie A28520305
2015–1626210272
Total 15914101004017315
Napoli2016–17Serie A320032
2017–1841002061
Total 7300200093
Sampdoria (loan)2018–19Serie A19110201
2019–20900090
2020–2123100231
Total 512100000522
Empoli2021–22Serie A14000140
Career total 23119111204024820

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Five game ban for Denis. Football Italia. 27 April 2015. 5 February 2016.
  2. Web site: Official: Napoli sign Tonelli. Football Italia. 23 May 2016. 12 October 2018.
  3. Web site: Tonelli becomes Napoli's first close-season signing. Goal.com. Chris Myson. 23 May 2016. 12 October 2018.
  4. Web site: Lorenzo Tonelli scores late winner on long-awaited Napoli debut . ESPN FC . 12 October 2018 . 7 January 2017.
  5. Web site: UFFICIALE: Sampdoria, prelevato Tonelli dal Napoli. 17 August 2018.
  6. Sampdoria. BENTORNATO TONELLI: ARRIVA A TITOLO TEMPORANEO CON OBBLIGO DI RISCATTO. 23 January 2020. Italian.
  7. Web site: UFFICIALE: Sampdoria, ceduto Tonelli all'Empoli a titolo definitivo.
  8. News: U-21: Ferrara calls 12 newcomers. 11 November 2010. 29 November 2010. Football Italia.
  9. News: Amichevole con la Turchia: dodici volti nuovi nel gruppo di Ferrara . 11 November 2010. 29 November 2010. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC). Italian.
  10. News: Doppietta di Macheda Ferrara parte bene. 17 November 2010. 22 November 2010. la Repubblica. Italian.
  11. Seven new faces for the training camp due to start in Coverciano on Wednesday. 16 May 2016. 26 September 2017. FIGC.
  12. Web site: Uncapped Tonelli and Piccini called up by Italy after trio drop out . FourFourTwo . 8 October 2018 . 12 October 2018 .