Giuseppe Pezzella

Giuseppe Pezzella (born 29 November 1997) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Serie A club Empoli.

Club career

Palermo

Pezzella is a youth product from Palermo. He made his Serie A debut with the senior side on 6 December 2015 against Atalanta, replacing Mato Jajalo after 65 minutes of a 3–0 away defeat.

Udinese

On 30 June 2017, Pezzella joined Udinese on a five-year contract.

Loan to Genoa

On 21 January 2019, Pezzella joined to Genoa on loan with an option to buy until 30 June 2019.

Parma

On 27 August 2019, Pezzella signed to Parma a five-year contract, but he was on loan until the end of 2019–20 season, with an obligation to buy.

Loan to Atalanta

On 27 July 2021, Pezzella moved to Atalanta on a season-long loan with option to buy, which would have become an obligation to buy if certain conditions were met.

Loan to Lecce

On 26 August 2022, Pezzella was loaned by Lecce, with an option to buy.

Empoli

On 31 July 2023, Serie A side Empoli announced the free signing of Pezzella on a three-year contract, with an option for a further year.

International career

With the Italy U-20 side, Pezzella took part at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, winning the bronze medal. The same year, he was also called up by the Italy U-21 manager Luigi Di Biagio for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, following Nicola Murru's injury, although he did not appear in the tournament. Italy were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals of the competition on 27 June, following a 3–1 defeat.

Pezzella made his debut with the Italy U21 team on 1 September 2017, in a 3–0 friendly loss against Spain.