Official! Italy's record-breaking talent returns home to Serie A
Fiorentina have officially welcomed Wilfried Gnonto into their history, as the Viola put the seal on a frantic deadline day.
Details: The Florence club announced the signing on their official channels late on Tuesday. According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is a loan with a buy option, with Fiorentina covering Gnonto's full salary. Leeds only sanctioned the exit after securing a replacement, having raced to line up Jean-Matteo Bahoya before the Italian window shut at 19:00 UK time.
At just 22, Gnonto already carries a remarkable story. A product of Inter's academy, he won the Swiss Super League with FC Zurich before Leeds signed him for around £3.8 million in 2022, the same summer he became Italy's youngest ever goalscorer, netting against Germany in the Nations League at 18 and breaking a record that had stood since 1958. His final Premier League campaign brought no goals and 1 assist in 23 appearances, and a contract running to 2028. The move crowns a dramatic day in Florence: Moise Kean left for Como in a €40 million deal, while Beto is expected to arrive from Everton, so Gnonto lands in a rebuilt attack with everything to prove in his first Serie A season.
It's worth noting that despite his four years in England, Gnonto has never played a single senior match in Italy, making this homecoming a genuine first chapter rather than a return.
Reminder: Deal for the future! Chelsea seal £40m move for Atalanta wonderkid Ahanor.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
