Francesco Lodi
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Francesco Lodi | ||
| Date of birth | 23 March 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Naples, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Empoli | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2010 | Empoli | 89 | (19) |
| 2004 | → Vicenza (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| 2006–2008 | → Frosinone (loan) | 82 | (31) |
| 2009–2010 | → Udinese (loan) | 19 | (1) |
| 2010–2011 | Frosinone | 23 | (7) |
| 2011–2013 | Catania | 86 | (18) |
| 2013–2014 | Genoa | 9 | (2) |
| 2014–2015 | Catania | 19 | (2) |
| 2014–2015 | → Parma (loan) | 23 | (2) |
| 2015–2017 | Udinese | 25 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2000 | Italy U15 | 8 | (0) |
| 2000–2001 | Italy U16 | 13 | (7) |
| 2002 | Italy U18 | 6 | (3) |
| 2002–2003 | Italy U19 | 12 | (11) |
| 2006–2007 | Italy U21 | 2 | (2) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 25 October 2015. |
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Francesco Lodi (born 23 March 1984) is an Italian footballer. Lodi usually plays as a deep lying playmaker in midfield, and was known for his passing qualities. Lodi will sign for Catania in the summer of 2017.
Lodi started his career as part of Empoli youth system, being later promoted to the first team in 2003, despite his senior debut came during the 2000–01 season. During the winter transfer market, Empoli opted to loan the player out to Vicenza, in Serie B, for the player to gain regular playing time. He went on to make 11 appearances for the biancorossi before returning to Empoli for the 2004–05 season, following their relegation. In his first full season with the Tuscan side, Lodi made 27 league appearances, scoring six goals and helping them earn instant promotion back to Serie A. Lodi remained with Empoli, his first full season in Serie A. The midfielder made just 17 appearances, however, and failed to hold down first team football. He scored no goals.
For the 2006–07 season, Empoli loaned Lodi to Serie B side Frosinone for €50,000. Lodi instantly earned a starting role with the club, making 40 appearances out of a possible 42, scoring 11 goals. Despite his form, Empoli opted to keep the player at the Latium-based club in co-ownership deal for €1.4 million, where Lodi would continue his form. He went on to make 41 appearances for the second division side and scored a very impressive 20 goals as a midfielder. In January 2008, Empoli also bought back the 50% registration rights from Frosinone for €800,000.
Following Empoli's relegation from Serie A, the loan was not re-newed and the player spent the 2008–09 season with Empoli. He again performed with high standards, making 41 appearances and scoring 13 goals in league play. His form over the span of three seasons led to interest from a host of Serie A clubs, including Udinese, Atalanta and Chievo. At the start of the 2009–10 season, Lodi scored three goals in the first three games of Empoli's season, later joining Udinese on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season.
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