The Croatian first league football club from Rujevica has completed one of the most high-profile transfers of this summer, securing the signature of an exceptionally talented Italian attacking player. Samuele Vignato, a 21-year-old gem coming from the ranks of the Italian Serie A club Monza, is the new number ten and a great hope for HNK Rijeka. Vignato has signed a four-year contract with the Whites, by which the club has clearly shown its long-term ambitions and trust in this young man. The arrival of a player of such caliber, as a free agent after his contract with the Serie A club expired, represents an extraordinary business and sporting move by the club's management and inspires great optimism among the fans. His arrival in Rijeka has resonated throughout the sporting public.

This move signals the club's clear intention to compete on equal terms for the top positions in the league and to leave a deep mark on the European stage. Vignato, whose primary positions are left wing and attacking midfielder, or second striker, brings to Kvarner a touch of Italian football sophistication, creativity, and unpredictability that has often been lacking in the final third of the field.

Who is Samuele Vignato? The path from Chievo to Serie A

Samuele Vignato is not an unknown name on the Italian football map. He began his football journey in the youth academy of Chievo from Verona, a club known for developing young talents. It was in the jersey of the "Flying Donkeys" that he experienced senior football, debuting in Serie B as an exceptionally young player, which was a clear indicator of his undeniable potential. His performances did not go unnoticed, and soon came a call from the ambitious project of Monza, a club led by Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani, which was then building its way to the elite.

By moving to Monza, Vignato continued his development in the highly competitive environment of Serie B. It did not take long for his name to end up on the headlines. It happened on September 25, 2021, when he scored his first professional goal in a match against Pordenone. That moment was more than just a goal; it was an entry into the history books. Vignato became the first player born in 2004 to score a goal in one of the professional leagues in Italy, thereby drawing the attention of the entire Italian sporting public.

Writing history in Monza and proving quality on the biggest stage

Vignato's contribution to Monza did not stop at that historic goal. With his performances, dribbles, and assists, he actively participated in achieving the club's dream – a historic promotion to Serie A. Upon entering the top tier of Italian football, a new, even greater challenge was placed before him. And he passed that test with flying colors. Although he was not always in the foreground for coach Raffaele Palladino, he used every entry from the bench to demonstrate his class.

A new historic moment occurred on October 8, 2023. In Monza's convincing 3-0 victory against Salernitana, Samuele Vignato scored his debut goal in Serie A. With that goal, he once again wrote history, becoming the first player born in 2004 to find the net in the elite tier of Italian football. At the same time, with that goal, he also entered the club's almanacs as the youngest scorer in Monza's history in the first league, confirming his status as one of the most promising young players in Italy. In total, he made 32 appearances for Monza in Serie A, which is an impressive number for such a young player. To this should be added 15 appearances in Serie B (13 for Monza, 2 for Chievo) and four matches in the Italian Cup. The experience of playing against clubs like Juventus, Inter, and Milan is invaluable for his further development, and now he will implement it into the game of the team from Rijeka.

European champion with Italy: The seal of a winning mentality

In addition to his club successes, Vignato can also boast an exceptionally successful representative career at youth levels. He has gone through literally all the selections of the Italian national team, from U-15 to U-19, where he was regularly one of the key players. The crown of his representative career came in 2023, when he won the European champion title with the Italy U-19 selection.

At that championship, Vignato was one of coach Alberto Bollini's most important players. His creativity and penetration were key to the Azzurri's play, and he particularly stood out in the semi-final match against Spain, where he scored the opening goal in a dramatic 3-2 victory. Winning the European gold gave him a winning mentality and the experience of playing big matches under pressure, which will be of immense importance for HNK Rijeka in the fight for trophies. Fans in Rijeka rightly expect great things.

What does Vignato's arrival mean for HNK Rijeka?

The signing of Samuele Vignato is a clear indicator of the strategy of the club from Rujevica. It involves bringing in a young, yet proven player with experience playing in one of the strongest leagues in the world, who possesses enormous potential for further progress. His player profile – fast, technically skilled, with great dribbling and game vision – fits perfectly into the modern, attacking football that HNK Rijeka strives for. It is expected that Vignato will bring a new dimension to the attack, the ability to solve "one-on-one" situations, and create extra space for his teammates. His versatility, that is, the ability to play in multiple offensive positions, gives the coach numerous tactical options. The arrival of a player from Serie A is also a magnet for other potential newcomers and raises the reputation of the club and the entire Croatian league. There is no doubt that the stands of Rujevica will be filled to the last seat to see this Italian maestro in action.