Manuel Pucciarelli

Manuel Pucciarelli (born 17 June 1991) is an Italian footballer who plays as a second striker or attacking midfielder for Serie C Group B club Vis Pesaro.

Manuel Pucciarelli

Personal information
Date of birth	(1991-06-17) 17 June 1991 (age 34)
Place of birth	Montemurlo, Italy
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Second striker, attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Vis Pesaro
Number	7
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)
2022–	Vis Pesaro	76	(6)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16 December 2024

Career

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]

On 22 November 2022, Pucciarelli signed for Serie C club Vis Pesaro as a free transfer, agreeing a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend.^[13]

Style of play

Pucciarelli is a second striker, who can also play as an attacking midfielder.^[14] He is good at creating attacking opportunities for his teammates, and is known for his endurance and pressing the opposing ball carrier.^[15]