Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 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 | Foggia | ||
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– | Foggia | 0 | (0) |
International career | |||
2018–2019 | Italy U20 | 5 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 January 2024 |
Luca Ercolani (born 25 November 1999) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie C Group C club Foggia.
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]
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.
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]
On 28 July 2022, Ercolani joined Fidelis Andria.[14]
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]
Ercolani won five caps for Italy at under-20 level, having made his debut in October 2018.[2]
Ercolani started out as a striker, though later switched to play as a centre-back after joining Forlì.[2][17] He is also capable of playing at full-back.[2]
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 |