10 Things to know about Davide Zappacosta

On Wednesday afternoon Davide Zappacosta became the latest new signing for Roma, joining the club on loan for the season.

But what do you know about the Italy international?

Here are a few facts to help you on your way…

1. Davide Zappacosta was born on 11 June 1992 in Sora, Frosinone – about 100 kilometres outside Rome.

2. Davide has a history in the game; his father, Roberto, was a forward for Serie C side Sora and went on to become a coach in the club’s academy system. That was where Davide made his first forays in the game.

“My father used to train me,” Davide recalled in one interview. “It was one of the years where I probably played the list; he often put me on the bench to show my teammates his son would not get any special treatment. My dad taught me never to lose your focus.”

3. When he was 17, Zappacosta made his professional debut for Isola Liri, a Lega Pro side. He quickly made an impression as an attacking full-back who could cope with the demands of a very physical league.

Bigger clubs soon came circling – with Atalanta acquiring him in January 2011 before sending him to gain experience at Avellino.

4. There he spent two seasons, winning the league in 2013 and the Supercoppa soon after. With promotion to Serie B Zappacosta decided to mark the occasion, getting the date of promotion – 05/05/2013 – tattooed on his body. By then he was widely regarded as one of the best full-backs at that level.

5. In June 2014 Zappacosta returned to Atalanta, making the leap to Serie A football. He made his debut for the club on the first day of the season and scored his first goal (away to Genoa) soon after – immediately dedicating it to his late grandfather. He finished his first season in the top-flight with 29 appearances and three goals, enough to attract the firm interest of Torino.

6. Torino wrapped up a deal and Zappacosta would spend the next two seasons there, making 58 appearances and earning a first international call-up from Italy coach Antonio Conte, who named him among his reserves for his 2016 European Championship squad.

7. The player obviously made an impression on Conte – when the coach moved to Chelsea, and was looking for a new right-back for his squad in the summer of 2017, it was Zappacosta that the Blues hit upon.

The full-back made an almost immediate impression on fans with a memorable goal against Qarabag in the Champions League, and went on to win the FA Cup in his first season. A Europa League crown followed in his second – the player making 52 appearances in total across the two campaigns.

8. Zappocosta has represented Italy 30 times across his career (across all age groups), 13 of those for the senior side. He made his debut in November 2016, against Liechtenstein.

9. As a player, Zappacosta has long made an impression on his fans for his indefatigable running up and down the flanks, along with his ability to swing in a dangerous cross.

“At Torino they used to call me ‘Zambrottino’ (little Zambrotta),” Zappacosta once said. “Before that they would call me Cafu, and when I was younger I admired Nedved… I know I need to go a long way to get to their level.”

10. Zappacosta is active on social media – you can follow him on Facebook ( @davidezappacostaofficial), Instagram ( @zappacosta) and Twitter ( @DZappacosta).