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Paolo Gozzi
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Paolo Gozzi Andy Iweru (born 25 April 2001) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defender for French Ligue 2 club Troyes.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Juventus
[edit]On 13 April 2019, Gozzi made his Juventus debut in a 2–1 away loss against SPAL in the Serie A.[1]
Juventus U23
[edit]Gozzi's first game for Juventus U23, the reserve team of Juventus, came on 28 October 2020, in a 2–1 Serie C defeat against Como.[2]
Loan to Fuenlabrada
[edit]On 21 July 2021, Gozzi moved to Segunda División side Fuenlabrada on a season-long loan.[3][4]
He played his first game for the Spanish side on 21 August, starting in a 2-0 away win against AD Alcorcón.[5]
Genoa, loans to Cosenza, Pescara and Red Star
[edit]On 19 August 2022, Juventus announced to have sold Gozzi to Genoa on a permanent move.[6] Shortly afterwards, Serie B club Cosenza announced to have signed him on loan from Genoa.[7] The loan was terminated early on 31 January 2023.[8] On the same day, Gozzi was loaned to Pescara.[9] On 17 July 2023, Gozzi joined Championnat National club Red Star on loan.[10]
Troyes
[edit]On 30 August 2024, Gozzi returned to France and signed a two-year contract with Ligue 2 club Troyes.[11]
International career
[edit]Gozzi was born in Italy and is of Nigerian Malagasy descent; he is a youth international for Italy.[12]
With the Italy U19 team, he took part in the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[13]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 29 June 2024[14]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Juventus | 2018–19 | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Juventus U23 | 2020–21 | Serie C | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Fuenlabrada (loan) | 2021–22 | Segunda División | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Cosenza (loan) | 2022–23 | Serie B | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Pescara (loan) | 2022–23 | Serie C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Red Star (loan) | 2023–24 | Championnat National | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Career total | 75 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 78 | 0 | ||
Honours
[edit]Red Star
References
[edit]- ^ "Spal Juve 2-1: gol e highlights. Floccari rinvia la festa scudetto bianconera" (in Italian). Sport.Sky.it. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ Baridon, Marco (28 October 2020). "Juventus U23-Como 1-2: Marques non basta, secondo ko stagionale – VIDEO". Juventus News 24 (in Italian). Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ JuventusNews24, Redazione (21 July 2021). "Gozzi Fuenlabrada, il difensore lascia la Juventus U23. Il comunicato". Juventus News 24 (in Italian). Retrieved 21 July 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Paolo Gozzi, nuevo jugador del Fuenla". CF Fuenlabrada (Press release) (in Spanish). 21 July 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "El Fuenla se lleva el derbi del Sur". CF Fuenlabrada (Press release) (in Spanish). 21 August 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Juventus, ceduto a titolo definitivo il 2001 Paolo Gozzi al Genoa". TuttoMercatoWeb (in Italian). 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "Benvenuto nel Cosenza a Paolo Gozzi" (Press release) (in Italian). Cosenza. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "Risolto il prestito di Paolo Gozzi" (in Italian). Cosenza. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ "GOZZI PAOLO IWERU E' BIANCAZZURRO" (in Italian). Delfino Pescara 1936. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ Ducassou, Paul (17 July 2023). "PAOLO GOZZI SIGNE | Red Star Football Club". www.redstar.fr (in French). Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Paolo Gozzi rejoint l'ESTAC" [Paolo Gozzi joins ESTAC] (in French). Troyes. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "L'amico Kean, lo switch con Barzagli: Juve, chi è Paolo Gozzi". gianlucadimarzio.com.
- ^ "Europeo. Convocati i 20 Azzurrini per l'Armenia. Nunziata: 'Squadra giovane, giocherà da protagonista'". Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ Paolo Gozzi at Soccerway. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Garlan, Victor (26 April 2024). "Le Red Star sacré champion de National". Foot Mercato (in French). Retrieved 26 April 2024.
External links
[edit]- Paolo Gozzi at Soccerway
  | This biographical article related to association football in Italy, about a defender born in the 2000s, is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |
Paolo Gozzi
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Early life and background
Family and heritage
Paolo Gozzi Iweru was born on 25 April 2001 in Turin, Italy.[7] He measures 1.84 meters in height.[7] His full name reflects his diverse personal background.[8] Gozzi's biological parents are natives of Nigeria, which underscores his African heritage.[8] He was adopted at a very young age by an Italian family from Turin, providing him with an Italian upbringing alongside his Nigerian roots.[9] This adoption integrated him into Italian society while preserving his eligibility for dual nationality, including Nigerian citizenship.[10] This heritage has notably informed his international career options, allowing provisional ties to both Italy and Nigeria.[9]Early education and youth development
Paolo Gozzi Iweru was born on April 25, 2001, in Turin, Italy, where he spent his formative years immersed in the local football culture. He began his football journey in 2012 at the age of 11, joining the youth ranks of Pozzomaina, a local amateur club in the Turin area, marking his initial steps in organized training outside professional structures.[11][1] At Pozzomaina, Gozzi initially played as an external midfielder, where he developed foundational skills in speed, ball distribution, and physical presence on the pitch. Over the next few years, as he grew physically—reaching a height of 1.84 meters—he transitioned to a defender role, leveraging his increasing strength and anticipation to excel in defensive duties. This early adaptation highlighted his versatility and laid the groundwork for his later specialization as a centre-back.[11][1] Gozzi's time at Pozzomaina, from July 2012 to January 2015, focused on building core technical and athletic abilities through regular youth training sessions, though no major tournament victories from this period are documented. His progression during these years culminated in a move to the Juventus youth system in early 2015, where his pre-professional foundation proved instrumental.[1]Club career
Juventus youth and debut
Paolo Gozzi joined the Juventus youth academy in 2015 at the age of 14, transferring from the local club Pozzomaina where he had developed from 2012 to early 2015.[12][7] Gozzi progressed steadily through Juventus' youth ranks, starting with the Under-15 team in the 2015–16 season, followed by the Under-16 squad in 2016–17, and the Under-17 side from 2017 to 2018.[13] In the Under-17 team, he made 27 appearances and scored 1 goal, contributing to the team's success in youth competitions.[14] A notable moment came on April 3, 2016, when, playing for the Under-17s against Parma, Gozzi scored one of four goals in a convincing victory that highlighted the team's early-season form.[15] He then advanced to the Under-19 (Primavera) team in the 2018–19 season, where he featured in 36 matches and netted 1 goal, including appearances in the UEFA Youth League.[14][2] In 2018, Gozzi signed his first professional contract with Juventus, aligning with his promotion to the club's reserve team, Juventus U23 (later rebranded as Next Gen).[16] His debut for the U23 side came on October 28, 2020, in a 2–1 Serie C defeat to Como. Between 2020 and 2022, he made 12 appearances for the U23 side in Serie C, primarily as a centre-back, though opportunities were limited due to competition in the squad.[14] His time with the reserves provided valuable senior-level experience in Italy's third tier.[17] Gozzi's senior debut for Juventus' first team came on April 13, 2019, in a Serie A match against SPAL, where the 17-year-old started in a 2–1 away defeat; this remained his only appearance for the senior side during his tenure from 2019 to 2022.[18][19] This brief first-team exposure marked him as the first player born in the 21st century to feature for Juventus in Serie A.[12]Loan to Fuenlabrada
In July 2021, Paolo Gozzi joined CF Fuenlabrada in Spain's Segunda División on a season-long loan from Juventus U23, seeking regular senior football to aid his development.[20][21] Gozzi made his debut for Fuenlabrada on 21 August 2021, starting in a 2–0 away victory over Alcorcón, where he contributed two tackles won and one interception over 79 minutes.[22] He quickly adapted to the demands of Spanish second-tier football, featuring in 23 league matches with 19 starts, accumulating 1,510 minutes, one assist, and no goals; additionally, he appeared in two Copa del Rey ties, totaling 25 appearances and 1,596 minutes across all competitions.[23][24] Defensively, Gozzi averaged solid contributions, recording 26 tackles won and 12 interceptions in league play, while receiving four yellow cards but no reds.[23] Notable performances included a full 90 minutes against Oviedo on 19 December 2021, where he secured four tackles won in a 0–0 draw, and providing his sole assist in a 1–0 home win over Málaga on 19 March 2022.[22] The loan period presented challenges amid Fuenlabrada's struggles, as the team finished 21st in the Segunda División with a 6–15–21 record, leading to relegation to the Primera Federación.[25] Gozzi's consistent involvement helped him gain valuable experience abroad, though the club's poor form limited standout team successes. Upon the loan's conclusion in June 2022, Gozzi returned to Juventus U23 for evaluation, having established himself as a reliable centre-back in a competitive environment.[20]Genoa and subsequent loans
In August 2022, Paolo Gozzi joined Genoa on a free transfer from Juventus, signing a contract until August 30, 2024.[26][2] Despite being part of the squad, Gozzi made no first-team appearances for Genoa during his tenure, as the club prioritized his development through loan moves.[14] Gozzi's first loan was to Serie B side Cosenza in August 2022, lasting until January 2023.[2] During this period, he featured in 12 matches (2 starts, 465 minutes) without scoring, primarily as a centre-back providing defensive depth for a team that narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 17th in the league.[27][28][23] His contributions helped stabilize the backline amid Cosenza's survival push in a competitive second tier.[29] The loan to Cosenza ended early, and in January 2023, Gozzi moved to Serie C club Pescara on loan until June 2023.[2] He made only 2 appearances, reflecting limited playing time as the coaching staff favored more experienced players in the promotion-chasing squad.[4] This brief stint underscored the challenges of breaking into a starting role at the third-tier level. In July 2023, Gozzi was loaned to French Championnat National side Red Star FC 93 until June 2024.[26] He played 24 league matches, accumulating 1,557 minutes as a key defender (plus 1 cup appearance), contributing to Red Star's league title win and promotion to Ligue 2 with no goals scored.[30][31][23] His consistent presence in the backline contributed to the team's solid defensive record, helping secure the championship with a first-place finish.[32] These successive loans were designed to provide Gozzi with regular senior minutes and accelerate his professional development, addressing the lack of opportunities at Genoa and building on his youth experience.[6] Following the end of his Genoa contract, Gozzi secured a permanent transfer to Troyes.Permanent move to Troyes
On 30 August 2024, Paolo Gozzi completed a permanent transfer from Genoa to ESTAC Troyes in Ligue 2, signing a two-year contract until 30 June 2026.[1] This move marked a return to French football for the Italian defender, following a loan spell at Red Star FC 93 the previous season.[1] In his debut 2024–25 season with Troyes, Gozzi made 21 appearances across all competitions (16 league, 5 cups), accumulating 1,425 minutes while primarily featuring as a centre-back in a defensive setup aimed at stabilizing the team.[23] He contributed 2 assists in the Coupe de France. Troyes finished 10th in Ligue 2 with 44 points from 13 wins, 5 draws, and 20 losses.[33] As of November 17, 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 season, Gozzi has featured in all 14 Ligue 2 matches for Troyes, starting each and logging 1,232 minutes without recording goals or assists.[6][23] Troyes tops the Ligue 2 table with 26 points from 14 matches and a +12 goal difference, positioning them strongly for promotion.[34] Gozzi's contract remains active through the end of the 2025–26 campaign, with his form suggesting a key role in the club's upward trajectory.[1]International career
Youth international appearances
Paolo Gozzi began his international career with Italy's youth teams in 2017, starting with the Under-16 squad. He featured in friendlies and development matches during that year, including a notable encounter against Germany U16.[35] Gozzi progressed to the Italy U17 team later in 2017, where he accumulated significant experience through qualifiers and friendlies. In 2018, he was a key member of the squad for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship held in England, playing every minute of Italy's six matches as they advanced to the final, finishing as runners-up after a 2–2 draw with the Netherlands, lost 1–4 on penalties.[36][37] By 2018, Gozzi had earned a call-up to the Italy U19 team, contributing to their qualification campaign and subsequent tournaments. He was included in the squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Armenia, where he made three appearances during the group stage as Italy exited in the first round.[38][39][40] Throughout his youth international tenure from U16 to U19, Gozzi amassed over 30 caps without scoring, demonstrating consistent progression through Italy's youth system and eligibility influenced by his Italian heritage.[12][41]Senior international eligibility
Paolo Gozzi holds Italian citizenship by birth, having been born in Turin on 25 April 2001, making him eligible to represent Italy at the senior international level.[1] Additionally, due to his Nigerian parentage, he qualifies for senior selection with Nigeria through descent.[9] As of November 2025, Gozzi has not received any senior international caps for Italy, Nigeria, or any other nation. His most recent youth international involvement was with Italy's U20 team in 2019, ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, following earlier appearances at U19, U17, and U16 levels.[42][43] Gozzi's club career, which transitioned from Italy to a permanent move to Troyes in France in 2024, does not impose restrictions on his senior international options under FIFA regulations. In 2019, while training with Italy's U20 squad, he publicly acknowledged his Nigerian roots and indicated potential interest in switching allegiance to the Super Eagles if the opportunity arose.[44] No formal approaches from the Nigerian Football Federation or other associations have been documented since that time.[43] Given his history of over 30 caps across Italy's youth teams, Gozzi's pathway to Italy's senior team depends on consistent club performances amid high competition for defensive spots. For Nigeria, eligibility remains open without senior commitments to Italy, though no recent call-ups or discussions have surfaced as of 2025.Playing style and career statistics
Tactical role and attributes
Paolo Gozzi primarily operates as a centre-back, with versatility to deploy as a left-back.[1][45] His left-footedness allows for effective distribution from the back, particularly in long-range passes that initiate attacks.[45] At 1.84 metres tall, Gozzi leverages his physical presence in aerial duels and one-on-one challenges, where he excels in tackling and clearances.[1][11] Gozzi's defensive attributes include strong anticipation and positioning, enabling him to read the game effectively and intercept threats proactively.[11] His stamina and work rate support sustained high-intensity performances throughout matches, making him a reliable option in compact defensive lines.[46] However, areas for improvement include his limited offensive involvement, where he rarely contributes goals or assists, and a reliance on his stronger left foot that can restrict play on the right side.[46][11] Throughout his career, Gozzi has evolved from a youth winger focused on physicality and dribbling to a more tactically astute defender, particularly during senior loans in competitive environments like Spain's Segunda División and France's Ligue 2.[45] This development has refined his build-up play and personality on the pitch, drawing comparisons to Giorgio Chiellini as a potential long-term successor in Juventus' defensive lineage.[45] Scouting analyses describe him as a "reliable and secure centre-back" with high speed and excellent anticipation, though his strong character occasionally poses challenges in team dynamics.[11]Match statistics and records
Paolo Gozzi has accumulated approximately 115 professional appearances and 7 assists across his career as of November 2025, with 0 goals in senior professional matches, primarily as a defender in various European second- and third-tier leagues.[32] His contributions have been modest in the attacking third, with assists concentrated in lower-division and cup matches, reflecting his role in defensive setups.[47] The following table summarizes Gozzi's key match statistics by club, season, league, appearances, and goals (assists noted where available; all figures exclude youth internationals and non-competitive games):| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juventus | [2018–19 | Serie A](/page/2018–19_Serie_A) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Juventus U23 | [2020–21 | Serie C](/page/2021–22_Segunda_División) | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuenlabrada | [2021–22 | Segunda División](/page/2021–22_Segunda_División) | 23 | 0 | 1 |
| Cosenza | [2022–23 | Serie B](/page/2022–23_Serie_B) | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Pescara | [2022–23 | Serie C](/page/2022–23_Serie_C) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red Star | [2023–24 | Championnat National](/page/2023–24_Championnat_National) | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Troyes | [2024–25 | Ligue 2](/page/Ligue_2) | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Troyes | [2025–26 | Ligue 2](/page/Ligue_2) | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Total | 102 | 0 | 1 |