Luigi Cuppone

We are down to the last three Player Insider stories. Another new signing to talk about, Luigi Cuppone was the first new edition of this summer transfer window.

Cuppone was born on August 6, 1997 in Nardò, a town near Lecce. After growing up at Lecce, 2014 saw Luigi loaned to Carpi’s Primavera. From the winter to spring of 2015, Cuppone played in 10 games with one goal. After the season concluded, Cuppone was sold to fifth division side Ticino in Switzerland. He scored three goals in seven appearances in Switzerland.

Midway through the season, Luigi was loaned to Triestina in Serie D. Back in Italy, the team faced relegation. They were saved in the playoffs after a successful one legged tie against Liventina.

The next season while back in Switzerland, Luigi was tearing up the league. He scored 7 goals in 9 games and looked like a promising striker. His hard work and determination payed off in the winter transfer window. His performances caught the attention of Vicenza in Serie B. He was signed in the beginning of 2017, with Vicenza not looking good on the field. They were relegated that season, however on the last day of the season, Cuppone made his professional debut against Spezia when he came on in the 78th minute.

Cuppone was now on the professional radar, and was signed by Pisa for the 17/18 Serie C season. Pisa did well at the start, however, Cuppone wasn’t managing to get game time. To get the playing time he deserved, the club sent him on loan in January to Paganese. He started in his first match in a Coppa Italia Serie C quarterfinal clash with Viterbese. In the 95th minute, Cuppone scored to level the match at 1-1, making it his first pro goal. He went on to score three more goals that season in Serie C. A tense moment for the club as they went to the relegation playoffs, where they were eventually saved in the playoffs.

He started off 2018 better than the last season. He was getting more time for Pisa, but similar to last season, he was sent on loan to Bisceglie halfway through the campaign. Making 18 appearances for the club, Cuppone once again was in a relegation battle. Beaten over two legs, Bisceglie were headed down to Serie D, however were readmitted due to Siracusa and Matera dissolving.

Pisa were promoted to Serie B in 2019, but Cuppone went on loan again in Serie C, this time to Monopoli. He got a solid 28 games in that season, making promotion playoff where they would fall to Ternana. It was there he played with current teammate Daniele Donnarumma.

Signed by Casertana in 2020, Cuppone had his best season as a pro. After 32 Serie C games that season, the striker scored 14 goals and provided 3 assists. Luigi helped Casertana get out of a bad start and slowly reached the playoffs. Despite a loss to Juve Stabia, it was truly a fantastic season and finally a real breakout season.

In early June, Cittadella announced that they had signed the striker, their first of many signings this mercato. Other players would follow Luigi, as Casertana teammates Vincenzo Ciriello and Simone Icardi would eventually sign for the Granata. Despite only making one Serie B appearance in his career, we are excited for Luigi this season. He picked up an injury not long ago in training, so we hope he will be ok. Looking forward to seeing Cuppone on the pitch.