Michael Folorunsho

Michael Ijemuan Folorunsho (born 7 February 1998) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Cagliari, on loan from Napoli. He also plays for the Italy national team.

Michael Folorunsho

Personal information
Full name	Michael Ijemuan Folorunsho
Date of birth	(1998-02-07) 7 February 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth	Rome, Italy
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Cagliari (on loan from Napoli)
Number	90
Youth career
	Tor Sapienza
0000–2014	Savio
2014–2017	Lazio
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2019	Virtus Francavilla	61	(8)
2019–	Napoli	6	(0)
2019–2020	→ Bari (loan)	12	(0)
2020–2021	→ Reggina (loan)	30	(6)
2021–2022	→ Pordenone (loan)	16	(2)
2022	→ Reggina (loan)	15	(2)
2022–2023	→ Bari (loan)	27	(8)
2023–2024	→ Hellas Verona (loan)	34	(5)
2025	→ Fiorentina (loan)	14	(0)
2025–	→ Cagliari (loan)	0	(0)
International career‡
2024–	Italy	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 15 June 2024

Club career

Folorunsho spent his youth years with Lazio and played for their Under-19 squad.^[2] On 18 July 2017, he signed with Serie C club Virtus Francavilla.^[3] Folorunsho made his professional Serie C debut for Virtus Francavilla on 26 August 2017, in a game against Lecce.^{[4][better source needed]} He played 60 Serie C games for Virtus Francavilla in the two seasons.^[2]

On 13 July 2019, Folorunsho signed for Serie A club Napoli on a permanent deal.^[5] He was sent on loan two days later to Serie C club Bari for two years.^[6] Napoli sent Folorunsho on loan to several clubs in the Serie B: Reggina in 2020–21,^[7] Pordenone^[8] and Reggina^[9] in 2021–22, and Bari in 2022–23.^[10]

On 16 August 2023, Folorunsho agreed to join Serie A club Hellas Verona on loan for the duration of the 2023–24 season.^[11]

On 11 January 2025, Folorunsho signed for Fiorentina on loan with an option to make the deal permanent.^[12]

On 24 July 2025, he was loaned out to Cagliari, with an option to buy.^[13]

International career

In March 2024, Folorunsho received his first call-up to play for Italian senior squad from head coach Luciano Spalletti.^[14][15] However, he remained on the bench during friendly games with Venezuela and Ecuador played in the United States. Later that year, on 6 June, Folorunsho was included in the Italian squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.^[16] On 9 June, he debuted in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Stadio Carlo Castellani, coming as a substitute to goalscorer Davide Frattesi in the 76th minute as Italy won 1–0.^[17]

Personal life

Folorunsho is of Nigerian descent.^[18]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 11 May 2025^[19]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Coppa Italia		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lazio	2016–17	Serie A	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
Virtus Francavilla	2017–18	Serie C	28	1	2	0	1[a]	0	31	1
	2018–19	Serie C	31	7	1	0	3[b]	0	35	7
	Total		59	8	3	0	4	0	66	8
Napoli	2019–20	Serie A	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2024–25	Serie A	6	0	1	0	—		7	0
	Total		6	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
Bari (loan)	2019–20	Serie C	12	0	0	0	3[c]	0	15	0
Reggina (loan)	2020–21	Serie B	30	6	2	0	—		32	6
Pordenone (loan)	2021–22	Serie B	16	2	1	1	—		17	3
Reggina (loan)	2021–22	Serie B	15	2	—		—		15	2
Bari (loan)	2022–23	Serie B	27	8	2	1	3[d]	0	32	9
Hellas Verona (loan)	2023–24	Serie A	34	5	0	0	—		34	5
Fiorentina (loan)	2024–25	Serie A	14	0	—		5[e]	0	19	0
Career total			213	31	9	2	15	0	237	33

1. Appearance in Coppa Italia Serie C
2. One appearance in Coppa Italia Serie C, two appearances in Serie C promotion play-offs
3. Two appearances in Coppa Italia Serie C, one appearance in Serie C promotion play-offs
4. Appearances in Serie B promotion play-offs
5. Appearances in UEFA Conference League

International

As of match played 15 June 2024^[20]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Italy	2024	2	0
Total		2	0

Honours

Individual

• Serie A Goal of the Month: February 2024^[21]