Luciano Valente (born 4 October 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Eerste Divisie club Groningen. Born in the Netherlands, he represents Italy at international level.
 Valente in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 October 2003[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Groningen, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Groningen | ||
| Number | 40 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 0000–2014 | GVAV-Rapiditas | ||
| 2014–2022 | Groningen | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Groningen | 53 | (7) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021–2022 | Italy U19 | 3 | (0) |
| 2022– | Italy U20 | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 06:42, 4 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 September 2022 | |||
Club career edit
Born in Groningen, Valente started playing football at local club GVAV-Rapiditas, before joining Groningen's youth sector in 2014.[2] He subsequently came through the club's ranks, winning a national under-17 championship in 2019 in the process. In July 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Groningen and started training with the first team.[2]
On 14 August 2022, Valente made his professional debut for Groningen, coming in as a substitute for Laros Duarte at the 79th minute of the Eredivisie match against Ajax, which ended in a 6–1 defeat for his side.[3] On September 8, the midfielder extended his contract with the club until 2026, with an option for another season.[4]
On 8 December 2023, Valente scored his first brace in a 2–0 league win over Telstar.[5][6]
International career edit
Being born from an Italian father and a Dutch mother, Valente has been able to choose to represent either countries internationally.[7][8]
He has went on to represent the former country at various youth international levels, having featured for the Italian under-19[4][9] and under-20 national teams.[4][10]
Style of play edit
Valente is an attacking midfielder, who can also play in several positions through the middle.[7] He has been praised for his strength and his positioning, as well as his ability to create chances, either for himself or his team-mates.[7]
Personal life edit
His father, Roberto, is Italian and works at a local pizzeria in Haren.[8]
Career statistics edit
- As of match played 19 December 2023[11]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Groningen | 2022–23 | Eredivisie | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 22 | 0 | |
| 2023–24 | Eerste Divisie | 16 | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | 18 | 5 | ||
| Career total | 36 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 5 | ||
References edit
- ^ Luciano Valente at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b "Valente tekent contract, Jahren versterkt FC op huurbasis" (in Dutch). FC Groningen. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Ajax vs. Groningen 6 - 1". Soccerway. 14 August 2022.
- ^ a b c "Nieuw contract voor Valente bij FC Groningen" (in Dutch). FC Groningen. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Willem II juicht heel laat in Den Haag, NAC en Groningen klimmen" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ Heij, Andor (8 December 2023). "Luciano Valente schiet FC Groningen langs Telstar". OOG Groningen (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Nalesso, Pietro (5 November 2021). "Luciano Valente, chi è il nuovo azzurrino per Nunziata". MondoPrimavera (in Italian). Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Valente: 'Vertrouwen van de club doet me heel goed'" (in Dutch). FC Groningen. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Grazie ad una rete di Degli Innocenti, gli Azzurrini vincono la prima amichevole con l'Ungheria" (in Italian). Italian Football Federation. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "A Varese tris dell'Italia contro la Svizzera. I gol di Montevago, Fabbian e De Nipoti" (in Italian). Italian Football Federation. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ "Luciano Valente". soccerway.com.
External links edit
- Luciano Valente at Soccerway
- Luciano Valente at FootballDatabase.eu
- Luciano Valente at Groningen
- Luciano Valente at Eredivisie