Francesco Pio Esposito

Francesco Pio Esposito (Italian pronunciation: [eˈspɔːzito]; born 28 June 2005) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie B club Spezia, on loan from Inter Milan.

Francesco Pio Esposito
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-06-28) 28 June 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Castellammare di Stabia, Italy
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Spezia
(on loan from Inter Milan)
Number 9
Youth career
–2023 Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Inter Milan 0 (0)
2023–Spezia (loan) 50 (10)
International career
2022 Italy U17[1] 4 (1)
2022–2023 Italy U18[2] 5 (1)
2023 Italy U19[3] 8 (2)
2023 Italy U20[4] 6 (1)
2023– Italy U21[4] 11 (7)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Italy
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Runner-up 2023 Argentina
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner 2023 Malta
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

Club career

edit

Inter Milan

edit

Esposito is a youth player for Inter Milan. He started his career as an attacking midfielder, then becoming a striker. Esposito was a regular for the Under-19 team of Inter, despite being only 17 at the time, also appearing in the 2022–23 UEFA Youth League.[5][6]

On 9 July 2023, Esposito extended his contract with Inter until 2027.[7][8]

Loan to Spezia

edit

On 1 August 2023, he joined Serie B club Spezia on loan.[9] Esposito made his professional debut on 14 August 2023, coming on as a substitute in the round of 64 of the Coppa Italia against Venezia.[10]

On 19 July 2024, Spezia announced the extension of Esposito's loan from Inter for one more year.[11]

International career

edit

Esposito is a regular player in Italy's youth teams.

Between May and June 2023, he took part in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which Italy ended as runners-up, and scored one goal during the tournament and playing also the final.[12] Just a month later, in July, he was part of the Italy squad that won the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, scoring one goal as well.[13]

On 8 September 2023, he made his debut with the Italy U21, in the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 qualifying match against Latvia. On 5 September 2024, he scored four goals in the qualifying match won 7-0 against San Marino.[14]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit
As of match played 24 November 2024[15]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Spezia 2023–24 Serie B 38 3 1 0 - - 39 3
2024–25 12 7 1 0 - - 13 7
Total 50 10 2 0 - - 52 10

Personal life

edit

He is the younger brother of midfielder Salvatore and striker Sebastiano Esposito.[12]

Honours

edit

Italy U20

Italy U19

References

edit
  1. ^ "Convocazioni e presenze in campo FRANCESCO ESPOSITO" (in Italian). FIGC.it. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Convocazioni e presenze in campo FRANCESCO ESPOSITO" (in Italian). FIGC.it. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Convocazioni e presenze in campo FRANCESCO ESPOSITO" (in Italian). FIGC.it. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Convocazioni e presenze in campo FRANCESCO ESPOSITO" (in Italian). FIGC.it. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Esposito: Italia senza bomber? L'Inter aspetta Francesco Pio, il futuro è già scritto" (in Italian). Calciomercato.com. 30 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Esposito, show con l'Inter Primavera: tripletta al Cagliari. Chi è il nuovo talento nerazzurro" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 15 February 2023.
  7. ^ "VALENTIN CARBONI AND FRANCESCO PIO ESPOSITO SIGN CONTRACT EXTENSIONS" (Press release). Inter Milan. 9 July 2023.
  8. ^ "L'Inter trova l'accordo con Francesco Pio Esposito: rinnovo fino al 2027. E lo Spezia l'ha già chiesto in prestito" (in Italian). Internews.it. 29 June 2023.
  9. ^ "UFFICIALE | FRANCESCO PIO ESPOSITO È UN NUOVO CALCIATORE DELLO SPEZIA". Spezia Calcio (Press release) (in Italian). 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  10. ^ "SPEZIA VS VENEZIA". Lega Serie A. 14 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Spezia, Pio Esposito è ancora aquilotto. Nuovamente confermato il suo prestito dall'Inter" (in Italian). Tuttomercatoweb. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Tre finali tutte perse: che domenica da incubo per i fratelli Esposito" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 12 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Dai cugini Dellavalle al boom di Kayode: chi sono gli azzurrini campioni d'Europa" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 17 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Italy U21 vs. San Marino U21 7 - 0". Soccerway.com. 5 September 2024.
  15. ^ Francesco Pio Esposito at Soccerway. Retrieved 18 December 2023.