Luca Ercolani

Luca Ercolani
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-11-25) 25 November 1999
Place of birth Ravenna, Italy
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Pianese
Number 13
Youth career
USD Classe
Ravenna
Rimini
Forlì
Cesena
2016–2021 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Carpi 16 (0)
2021–2022 Catania 13 (0)
2022–2023 Fidelis Andria 3 (0)
2023–2024 Alessandria 18 (0)
2024–2025 Foggia 20 (2)
2025– Pianese 0 (0)
International career
2018–2019 Italy U20 5 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 6 January 2025

Luca Ercolani (born 25 November 1999) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie C Group B club Pianese.

Club career

Manchester United

Having previously been a gymnast in his early years, Ercolani soon turned his attentions to football.[2] He started his youth career with USD Classe, before moving to Ravenna until 2012.[3] After a stint with Rimini, Ercolani moved to Forlì.[3] He was later signed on loan by Cesena, though I Bianconeri would choose not to sign the player.[4] In July 2016, having been scouted by David Williams a year prior, Ercolani completed a transfer to Premier League club Manchester United.[2][3] He remained with the English club until the start of 2021, appearing at U18, U19, U21 and U23 level; notably featuring in the EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League.[5] Ercolani did train with the first-team squad on numerous occasions under both José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.[3]

During the 2019–20 season, having spent time out with an injury, Ercolani - on the advice of some of the club's coaches - completed his UEFA B coaching qualification.[6][7][8]

Carpi

On 8 January 2021, having previously extended his Manchester United contract until June 2021 in May 2020, Ercolani returned to Italy with Serie C side Carpi; penning terms until June 2022.[9][10][11] He made his senior debut on 20 January during an away match against Matelica, as he featured for the full duration of a 1–0 loss at Stadio Helvia Recina.[5] Further appearances arrived that month versus Sambenedettese and Feralpisalò.[5] Ercolani was sent off for the first time in senior football on 7 February against Imolese.[5] Following the 2020–21 season, Carpi was excluded from the Italian leagues due to debts, making him a free agent.

Catania

On 13 August 2021, he signed a contract with Catania for the term of one season with an optional second year.[12]

On 9 April 2022, he was released together with all of his Catania teammates following the club's exclusion from Italian football due to its inability to overcome a number of financial issues.[13]

Fidelis Andria

On 28 July 2022, Ercolani joined Fidelis Andria.[14]

Alessandria

On 18 August 2023, he reached an agreement with Alessandria on the basis of a one-year contract with an option for a second year.[15]

Foggia

On 30 January 2024, Ercolani moved to Foggia.[16]

Pianese

On 11 January 2025, he joined Pianese.[17]

International career

Ercolani won five caps for Italy at under-20 level, having made his debut in October 2018.[2]

Style of play

Ercolani started out as a striker, though later switched to play as a centre-back after joining Forlì.[2][18] He is also capable of playing at full-back.[2]

Career statistics

As of 2 May 2021.[5]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United U21 2020–21 — — — — 1[a] 0 1 0
Carpi 2020–21 Serie C 16 0 0 0 — — 0 0 16 0
Career total 16 0 0 0 — — 1 0 17 0
  1. ^ Appearance in the EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ Luca Ercolani at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ a b c d e "Chi è Luca Ercolani, da Forlì al rinnovo di contratto con il Manchester United". Fanpage. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Luca Ercolani, il ravennate che ha giocato nel Manchester United". Ravenna & Dintorni. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Dal Forlì a Old Trafford con l'Under23 dello United: Luca Ercolani, storia di un '99 romagnolo a Manchester". Gianluca Di Marzio. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e Luca Ercolani at Soccerway
  6. ^ "Luca Ercolani taking his coaching badges". Manchester United. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Man Utd defender Luca Ercolani joins Serie C side Carpi". Manchester United. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Calcio, Luca Ercolani è a Ravenna per completare la riabilitazione: "Al Manchester ho marcato Ibra, ma che emozione quando Mourinho mi chiamava per nome"". SettesereQui. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Luca Ercolani signs new contract with Man Utd". Manchester United. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Ufficiale l'arrivo di Luca Ercolani dal Manchester United a titolo definitivo". Carpi. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Ritorno in Italia per Ercolani: dal Manchester United al Carpi". Il Resto del Carlino. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Luca Ercolani al Catania: contratto annuale con opzione" (Press release) (in Italian). Catania. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Delibera del Presidente federale: revocata l'affiliazione al Calcio Catania" (Press release) (in Italian). FIGC. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  14. ^ "FIDELIS, IL DIFENSORE LUCA ERCOLANI PER LA SQUADRA GUIDATA DA MIRKO CUDINI" (Press release) (in Italian). Fidelis Andria. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  15. ^ "LUCA ERCOLANI NUOVO DIFENSORE GRIGIO" [LUCA ERCOLANI IS A NEW DEFENDER] (Press release) (in Italian). Alessandria. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  16. ^ "MERCATO ALESSANDRIA CALCIO" [ALESSANDRIA FOOTBALL MARKET] (Press release) (in Italian). Alessandria. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  17. ^ "La Pianese accoglie Luca Ercolani" [Pianese welcomes Luca Ercolani] (Press release) (in Italian). Pianese. 11 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Il ravennate Luca Ercolani rinnova il contratto con il Machester United". Ravenna Web Tv. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
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