Matteo Palma

Matteo Palma (born 13 March 2008) is a footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Udinese. Born in Germany, he has represented both Italy and his native Germany internationally at youth level.

Matteo Palma

Personal information
Date of birth	(2008-03-13) 13 March 2008 (age 17)
Place of birth	Berlin, Germany
Height	1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Udinese
Number	16
Youth career
0000–2022	Hertha BSC
2022–	Udinese
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–	Udinese	1	(0)
International career‡
2022–2023	Italy U15	3	(0)
2023–	Germany U16	3	(0)
2024–	Germany U17	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 September 2024

Life and career

Palma was born on 13 March 2008 in Berlin, Germany. He was born to an Italian father and a German mother of Cameroonian descent.^[1] As a youth player, he joined the youth academy of German side Hertha BSC. In 2022, Palma joined the youth academy of Italian Serie A club Udinese. He started his senior career with the club on 25 September 2024, as he made his debut for them during a 3–1 win over Salernitana.^[2]

International career

He currently is a Germany youth international, although he represented Italy at youth international before.^[3] Palma played for the Italy U15s, Germany U16s, and Germany U17s. He made three appearances while playing for the Italy U15s.

Style of play

Palma mainly operates as a defender. He specifically operates as a central defender, he can also operate as a full-back and is right-footed. He is known for his strength, and has received comparisons to Italy international Giorgio Scalvini.^[4] Palma has been described as "gifted with a fair amount of ease in running and speed".^[5]