Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Samuele Ricci (born 21 August 2001) is an Italian football player. He plays as central midfielder or defensive midfielder for Empoli.
Club career
Empoli
He was raised in the Empoli youth teams and started playing for their Under-19 squad in the 2018–19 season. He was called up to the senior squad for the first time in April 2019, but remained on the bench on that occasion.
He made his professional Serie B debut for Empoli on 21 September 2019 in a game against Cittadella. He substituted Leo Štulac in the 67th minute.
International career
He was first called-up to represent his country in December 2017 for an Under-17 squad friendly against France.
He was included in the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship squad and played in 5 out of 6 games, including 4 as a starter. He started the final game and scored Italy's first goal in a 2–2 draw, but was substituted before Italy lost to Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out and finished as runners-up.
At the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, he started all three games as Italy was eliminated at group stage.