Matteo Palma (born 13 March 2008) is a footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie B club Sampdoria, on loan from Serie A club Udinese. Born in Germany, he has represented both Italy and his native Germany internationally at youth level.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 March 2008 | ||
| Place of birth | Berlin, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Sampdoria (on loan from Udinese) | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2022 | Hertha BSC | ||
| 2022–2025 | Udinese | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Udinese | 6 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Sampdoria (loan) | 11 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022–2023 | Italy U15 | 3 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Germany U16 | 7 | (0) |
| 2024 | Germany U17 | 6 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13 May 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 15 October 2024 | |||
Life and career
editPalma was born on 13 March 2008 in Berlin, Germany. He was born to an Italian father and a German mother of Cameroonian descent.[1] As a youth player, he joined the youth academy of German side Hertha BSC. In 2022, Palma joined the youth academy of Italian Serie A club Udinese. He started his senior career with the club on 25 September 2024, as he made his debut for them during a 3–1 win over Salernitana.[2]
On 14 January 2026, Palma was loaned by Sampdoria in Serie B.[3]
International career
editHe currently is a Germany youth international, although he represented Italy at youth international before.[4] Palma played for the Italy U15s, Germany U16s, and Germany U17s. He made three appearances while playing for the Italy U15s.
Style of play
editPalma mainly operates as a defender. He specifically operates as a central defender, he can also operate as a full-back and is right-footed. He is known for his strength, and has received comparisons to Italy international Giorgio Scalvini.[5] Palma has been described as "gifted with a fair amount of ease in running and speed".[6]
References
edit- ↑ "Palma, il piccolo gigante che l'Europa invidia all'Udinese". gazzetta.it.
- ↑ Matteo Palma at Soccerway
- ↑ "Palma è blucerchiato: arriva dall'Udinese a titolo temporaneo" [Palma is a Sampdoria player: he arrives on loan from Udinese] (in Italian). UC Sampdoria. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
- ↑ "Nuovi talenti crescono in bianconero: Marello e Palma azzurrini nell'Under 15". gelocal.it. 25 September 2022.
- ↑ "Udinese, le big impazziscono per Matteo Palma: è asta per il classe 2008?". nicoloschira.com.
- ↑ "Chi è Matteo Palma: l'astro nascente dell'Udinese venuto dalla Germania". mondoprimavera.com. 25 September 2024.
External links
edit- Matteo Palma at Soccerway