Lorenzo Lucca: Age, Height, Career, Clubs and Italy Journey

Introduction

Lorenzo Lucca is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward. He is best known for his remarkable height, powerful heading, physical strength and ability to lead an attack.

Born on 10 September 2000 in Moncalieri, Italy, Lucca is 2.01 metres tall, or about 6 feet 7 inches. He has played professional football in Italy, the Netherlands and England. His clubs have included Palermo, Pisa, Ajax, Udinese, Napoli and Nottingham Forest.

As of 19 July 2026, Lucca is back with SSC Napoli after completing a loan spell at Nottingham Forest. Napoli included him among the players who returned for pre-season fitness and medical tests on 15 July 2026.

Lorenzo Lucca Quick Facts

Lucca’s birth date, birthplace, height, nationality and position are listed in his official SSC Napoli player announcement.

Who Is Lorenzo Lucca?

Lorenzo Lucca is one of the tallest forwards in top-level European football. His size naturally makes him dangerous when crosses enter the penalty area, but his game involves more than heading the ball.

He can protect possession, challenge strong defenders and create space for teammates. His long reach also helps him control passes that may be difficult for shorter forwards to collect.

Lucca became widely known during his time with Palermo and Pisa. His move to Ajax introduced him to football outside Italy, while his performances for Udinese established him as a proven Serie A goalscorer.

His progress eventually earned him a place in the Italy senior national team.

Early Football Journey

Lucca developed through several football systems in northern Italy. His early career included connections with Torino, Vicenza and Brescia before he began building a stronger reputation in senior football.

He made three senior appearances for Vicenza during the 2017–18 season. His career then began to move forward more quickly after he joined Palermo.

This was not a simple rise from one major academy directly into a famous first team. Lucca had to move between clubs, accept different roles and prove that his unusual physical profile could work in professional football.

That difficult route helped him gain experience before his breakthrough.

Palermo Breakthrough

Lucca joined Palermo during the 2019–20 season. He made three appearances and scored once as the club earned promotion from Serie D.

His major breakthrough came in the following campaign. During the 2020–21 season, he scored 13 goals in 27 league appearances for Palermo.

This performance showed that he could use his height effectively while also finishing chances at senior level. His goals attracted the attention of Pisa, who signed him in 2021.

Pisa Career

Lucca joined Pisa before the 2021–22 Serie B season. He began the campaign strongly and quickly became one of the most discussed young forwards in Italian football.

He completed the league season with six goals from 34 appearances, including 30 starts and four substitute appearances.

Although his scoring slowed after an exciting beginning, his physical ability and potential remained clear. His Pisa performances were strong enough to earn interest from Ajax, one of the Netherlands’ most successful clubs.

Historic Ajax Move

Ajax signed Lucca on loan from Pisa in August 2022, with an option to make the transfer permanent.

The move created an important piece of club history. Lucca became the first Italian footballer to play for Ajax’s senior team when he appeared against FC Groningen in August 2022.

He made 14 Eredivisie appearances and scored twice for the senior side. He also played for Jong Ajax, the club’s development team, scoring six goals in 14 league appearances.

Lucca’s Ajax period was not a complete breakthrough, but it gave him valuable experience in a different football culture. He had to adjust to a team that valued movement, fast passing and technical control.

Ajax did not make his transfer permanent, so he returned to Italy after the loan.

Rise at Udinese

Lucca’s career reached a new level after he joined Udinese on loan for the 2023–24 season.

He scored eight Serie A goals and provided four assists during his first campaign at the club. He also scored once in the Coppa Italia.

Udinese described him as the youngest Italian player involved in at least 12 league goals during that season. The club also said he was the first player making his Serie A debut to score eight times in a campaign since 2015–16.

Udinese signed him permanently in June 2024 after his successful loan.

Best Serie A Season

Lucca became even more effective during the 2024–25 campaign.

He scored 12 goals in 33 Serie A appearances and added two goals in three Coppa Italia matches. Five of his league goals came from headers, showing why defenders found his aerial power difficult to control.

His Udinese performances placed him among Italy’s most productive young centre-forwards. He finished his Udinese career with 23 goals from 75 appearances across competitions.

Readers interested in other forwards with strong physical qualities can also explore the careers of Theo Bair and Nikola Krstović.

Transfer to Napoli

Napoli signed Lucca from Udinese in July 2025. The original deal began as a loan, with conditions connected to a permanent transfer.

He made his competitive Napoli debut against Sassuolo on 23 August 2025. He scored his first league goal for the club in a 3–2 victory over former side Pisa on 22 September.

Lucca also scored against Cagliari in the Coppa Italia in December 2025. Napoli later confirmed that he had made 23 appearances and scored twice before leaving temporarily for England. He was also part of the squad that won the Italian Super Cup in December 2025.

Napoli completed his permanent transfer in January 2026. He was then sent to Nottingham Forest on loan.

At Napoli, Lucca has shared a squad environment with players such as defender Alessandro Buongiorno and Danish attacker Jesper Lindstrøm.

Nottingham Forest Loan

Nottingham Forest signed Lucca on loan in January 2026, with an option to buy him permanently.

He made a memorable Premier League debut against Leeds United on 6 February 2026. Lucca entered as a substitute and scored Forest’s goal with a header, although Leeds won the match 3–1.

His first league start came against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He received opportunities to score but could not convert them as the match ended without a goal.

Lucca did not establish himself as Forest’s regular starting striker during the short loan. The club decided not to keep him and officially confirmed in June 2026 that he would return to Napoli.

Lorenzo Lucca’s Current Club

Lorenzo Lucca’s current verified club is SSC Napoli, as of 19 July 2026.

His Nottingham Forest loan has ended, and he reported to Napoli’s training centre for the start of pre-season in July 2026. This confirms that he is presently part of Napoli’s playing group while the club prepares for the new season.

His long-term role may depend on Napoli’s squad plans, transfer decisions and competition among the club’s forwards. Until an official transfer is announced, Napoli remains his confirmed team.

Italy National Team Career

Lucca’s Udinese performances earned him his first senior Italy call-up in March 2024.

He did not make his debut during that international period, but he later returned to the squad. His first senior appearance came as a substitute against Israel on 14 October 2024.

He was subsequently selected for further matches, including UEFA Nations League games against Germany and World Cup qualifiers. He remains part of Italy’s wider forward group and is listed on the official UEFA Italy squad page.

Lucca competes for international opportunities with several Italian forwards. His career is part of a younger generation that also includes technically gifted players such as Nicolò Fagioli.

Playing Style and Main Strengths

Lorenzo Lucca is mainly used as a central striker.

Aerial Ability

His 2.01-metre height makes him a major threat from crosses, corners and free kicks. He can reach balls above many defenders and direct headers towards the goal.

During the 2024–25 Serie A season, he scored five headed goals. Napoli also noted that only one player had scored more headed league goals than Lucca between the beginning of the 2023–24 season and his 2025 transfer.

Physical Strength

Lucca uses his body to protect the ball and compete with centre-backs. This can help his team move up the pitch when it is under pressure.

Penalty-Area Presence

He is most dangerous close to the goal. His height, reach and movement allow him to attack crosses and loose balls inside the box.

Link-Up Play

Lucca can receive long passes with his back to the goal and bring other attackers into play. This makes him useful to teams that use direct passes or crossing.

Areas for Improvement

Like many large centre-forwards, Lucca must continue improving his speed of movement, first touch and consistency. His short Nottingham Forest spell showed that physical size alone does not guarantee success in a fast and demanding league.

Career Statistics Snapshot

The table uses the club statistics published by Napoli when Lucca joined in July 2025. Cup and European appearances are not included in this simplified league table.

Major Career Achievements

Lucca’s confirmed career highlights include:

• Scoring 13 league goals for Palermo during the 2020–21 season.
• Becoming the first Italian footballer to appear for Ajax’s senior team.
• Scoring eight goals and providing four assists in his first Serie A season.
• Reaching 12 Serie A goals for Udinese during the 2024–25 campaign.
• Making his senior Italy debut in October 2024.
• Joining reigning Italian champions Napoli in July 2025.
• Winning the Italian Super Cup as part of Napoli’s squad in December 2025.
• Scoring on his Premier League debut for Nottingham Forest.

These achievements show steady progress through different levels and football cultures.

Why Is Lorenzo Lucca Famous?

Lorenzo Lucca is famous because he combines an unusual height with professional goalscoring ability.

Many tall players struggle to move effectively or contribute outside aerial challenges. Lucca has shown that he can score in Italian football, link attacks and compete internationally.

His career has also attracted attention because he became Ajax’s first Italian senior player and later represented both Napoli and Italy.

What Could Happen Next?

Lucca has returned to Napoli at an important stage of his career.

He is still young enough to improve, but he also needs regular football. His next challenge is to prove that he can earn a meaningful role at a major club or continue developing somewhere that can offer consistent playing time.

His strongest Serie A season showed that he can score regularly when a team understands how to use his height and movement. The right tactical system will therefore be important to his future.

Conclusion

Lorenzo Lucca’s journey shows that football development does not always follow a straight line.

He moved through several Italian clubs, experienced a historic season with Ajax, became a successful Serie A striker at Udinese and earned the chance to represent Italy. His moves to Napoli and Nottingham Forest placed him under even greater pressure and competition.

As of 19 July 2026, Lucca is back at Napoli and participating in the club’s pre-season programme. His height will always make him stand out, but his future success will depend on consistency, movement, finishing and finding the correct role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lorenzo Lucca?

Lorenzo Lucca is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for SSC Napoli.

How old is Lorenzo Lucca?

He is 25 years old as of 19 July 2026. He was born on 10 September 2000.

Where was Lorenzo Lucca born?

He was born in Moncalieri, Italy.

How tall is Lorenzo Lucca?

He is 2.01 metres tall, which is approximately 6 feet 7 inches.

Which club does Lorenzo Lucca play for?

His current verified club is SSC Napoli. His Nottingham Forest loan ended in June 2026.

What position does Lorenzo Lucca play?

He plays as a centre-forward or striker.

Did Lorenzo Lucca play for Ajax?

Yes. He played for Ajax during the 2022–23 season and became the first Italian footballer to appear for the club’s senior team.

Has Lorenzo Lucca played in the Premier League?

Yes. He joined Nottingham Forest on loan in January 2026 and scored on his Premier League debut against Leeds United.

Does Lorenzo Lucca play for Italy?

Yes. He made his senior Italy debut against Israel on 14 October 2024.

How many Serie A goals did Lorenzo Lucca score for Udinese?

He scored eight league goals in 2023–24 and 12 in 2024–25, giving him 20 Serie A goals across those two seasons.