Nicolò Zaniolo has signed a new long-term deal with Udinese, committing his future to the club until June 2029, with an option to extend until 2031.
This renewal comes off the back of an excellent first season with the club making a strong effort to secure his services amid renewed confidence in his performances.
Nature of His Deal and Transfer Context
According to transfer developments popularized by figures like Fabrizio Romano, Udinese’s move to secure Zaniolo reflects both faith in his resurgence and recognition of his impact.
Prior to this, his career saw a turbulent phase beginning with his exit from AS Roma.
Roma sold Zaniolo to Galatasaray in February 2023 for an initial £16.5 million, plus £13 million in add-ons. The transfer followed a complete breakdown in relations between player and club hierarchy, worsened when Zaniolo refused a move to AFC Bournemouth—a decision that strained ties further.
He had originally signed a four-and-a-half-year deal in Turkey after a fallout with Roma manager José Mourinho.
Rise, Setbacks, and Road to Redemption
Zaniolo first rose to prominence at Roma, where he established himself as one of Europe’s brightest young talents. Across 128 appearances, he recorded 24 goals and 18 assists—strong numbers that highlighted his attacking influence and versatility.
However, injuries began to derail his progress, and combined with off-field tensions, he gradually lost his place in the starting XI, ultimately leading to his departure in 2023.
His time at Galatasaray proved underwhelming. Despite being part of a title-winning squad, he made only a handful of appearances and was largely used as a rotational option. A series of loan spells followed:
A move to the Premier League for the 2023–24 season (Aston Villa), where he made 25 league appearances but scored just 2 goals, failing to fully convince.
A return to Italy with Atalanta in 2024–25, where injuries again disrupted his rhythm.
His turning point came during a loan spell at Udinese in the 2025–26 season. There, Zaniolo rediscovered form, registering 6 goals and 6 assists in 34 appearances—performances that reminded many of his earlier promise.
This resurgence prompted Udinese to activate a €5 million clause in June 2026 to sign him permanently, officially ending his Galatasaray stint. The deal, however, faced slight delays due to a salary dispute, while Galatasaray retained a 50% sell-on clause.
A Career Reignited at Udinese
At 27, Zaniolo appears to be rediscovering his spark. His performances have not only revived his career but also earned the full trust of Udinese, who have now rewarded him with a long-term extension at the Stadio Friuli. If his current trajectory continues, this chapter could mark the true resurgence of a player once tipped for the very top.
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