Gianluca Mancini

Gianluca Mancini (born 17 April 1996) is an Italian footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie A club Roma and the Italy national team.

Perugia
Mancini left for Perugia on loan in mid–2015, with an option to purchase. Mancini made his professional debut in the Serie B for Perugia on 11 September 2015 in a game against Pescara.

After a brief return to Florence, by the club excising the counter-option. on 1 August 2016, Fiorentina announced that they had sold Mancini to Perugia outright for free. It was later revealed that Fiorentina was eligible to 50% future transfer fee.

Atalanta
In January 2017, Mancini and Alessandro Santopadre, son of Massimiliano Santopadre, chairman of Perugia, were signed by Atalanta for €200,000 and €1 million transfer fees respectively. They were immediately loaned back to Perugia from Atalanta. The deal was later accused by the prosecutor as a manipulation of transfer fees, which overstated the price-tag of Santopadre and understated Mancini. The chairman and both clubs were acquitted of any wrongdoing in July 2018.

Mancini made his Serie A debut in a 1–1 draw against his former team Fiorentina, replacing Rafael Toloi after 25 minutes.

On 4 February 2018, he scored his first goal in a 1–0 for Atalanta against Chievo in Serie A.

Roma
On 17 July 2019, Mancini joined Roma on loan with a conditional obligation to buy for €13 million plus bonuses and a 10 per cent sell on fee.

International career
On 1 September 2017, Mancini made his international debut with the Italy U21 team in a 3–0 friendly loss against Spain.

On 15 March 2019, Gianluca Mancini received a call up from Roberto Mancini for Italy's UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Finland and Liechtenstein. On 26 March, he made his senior international debut in a 6–0 home win over Liechtenstein.

He took part in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Style of play
Mancini is a tall and physically strong central defender capable of playing in both a three or a four-man defensive line. Among his strengths are his excellent heading ability, which makes him a likely goal threat in the opposition's penalty box. Besides his regular position, he can also play as a right–sided full-back and a defensive midfielder, mainly out of necessity. He has cited Marco Materazzi as his favourite defender of all time.

Personal life
In December 2019, Gianluca married his long-term partner Elisa, together they have two daughters. Despite sharing a surname, he is not related to Italian football manager Roberto Mancini.

Honours
Roma
 * UEFA Europa Conference League: 2021–22
 * UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2022–23

Individual
 * UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2020–21, 2023–24