Flavio Paoletti
Italian footballer (born 2003)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Flavio Paoletti (born 16 January 2003) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Serie B club Mantova.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 January 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Mantova | ||
| Number | 36 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2017 | Atletico Azzurra Colli | ||
| 2017–2023 | Sampdoria | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023 | Sampdoria | 11 | (0) |
| 2023–2025 | Fatih Karagümrük | 36 | (3) |
| 2025– | Mantova | 22 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2019 | Italy U17 | 1 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 2 March 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 04:12, 18 December 2022 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Born in San Benedetto del Tronto and raised in Colli del Tronto,[2][3] Paoletti started playing football at local club Atletico Azzurra Colli,[2][3] before joining Sampdoria's youth sector in the summer of 2017.[2][4] He then progressed through the club's youth ranks, as he eventually became the captain of their under-19 squad,[2][3][5] and then signed his first professional contract in September 2022.[6]
During the 2022–23 season, Paoletti started training with Sampdoria's first team under head coach Dejan Stanković:[5] then, on 8 January 2023, he made his professional debut with the club, coming on as a substitute for Ronaldo Vieira in the 83rd minute of a 2–0 Serie A loss to Napoli.[3][7][8] Four days later, on 12 January, the midfielder made his first start in a professional game, together with team-mate Daniele Montevago, in a 1–0 Coppa Italia loss to Fiorentina.[9]
On 29 August 2023, Paoletti joined Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük on a permanent deal, signing a three-year contract with the club.[10][11]
On 26 January 2025, Paoletti signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Mantova in Serie B.[12]
International career
Paoletti has represented Italy at youth international level, having played for the under-17 national team.[13][14]
In March 2023, he received a call-up to the Italian under-20 national team.[15]
Style of play
Paoletti has been described as a versatile midfielder,[3][5] who can play either in a more defensive role or as a mezzala,[4] while also being able to cover in the center-back position.[3]
He cited Dennis Praet as a source of inspiration.[4]
Personal life
Paoletti is a self-declared supporter of Sambenedettese, the main club based in his birthplace.[3][4]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 23 December 2023[16]
- Appearance(s) in the Coppa Italia and the Türkiye Kupası