The 2025/26 season finds Bologna FC 1909 competing in European football for the second consecutive campaign, a reality that seemed impossible just three years ago. The Rossoblu’s miraculous Champions League qualification under Thiago Motta in 2023/24 transformed the club’s trajectory, and while Motta has since departed for Juventus, his successor has maintained Bologna’s upward momentum. The Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, with its iconic tower and passionate Curva Bulgarelli, has become one of Serie A’s most intimidating away venues, where Bologna has consistently troubled Italy’s traditional powers. The club’s sporting director, Giovanni Sartori (architect of Atalanta’s rise), continues to unearth undervalued gems from across Europe, while the ownership group (including Canadian businessman Joey Saputo) provides stability. This season’s squad reflects Bologna’s identity: technically gifted midfielders, organised defenders, and a collective work rate that exceeds the sum of individual parts. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Bologna’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Łukasz Skorupski
Nationality: Polish
Former Clubs: Górnik Zabrze, Roma, Empoli (loan)
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2018)
Łukasz Skorupski has become Bologna’s longest-serving current first-team player and undisputed number one, the Polish international providing shot-stopping reliability, command, and leadership across eight seasons at the Dall’Ara. The 34-year-old’s reflexes (75% save percentage in 2024/25, 74% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Bologna’s European qualification campaigns. Skorupski’s distribution (88% pass completion) remains functional, but his shot-stopping fundamentals have proven remarkably consistent. Having started 34 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 14 clean sheets, he remains remarkably durable. Skorupski’s experience—including 50+ Poland caps—provides dressing room leadership. Skorupski’s contract runs through 2028, with Bologna rejecting January 2026 approaches. Skorupski’s performance against Inter Milan in December 2025—making 10 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his enduring quality.
2. Federico Ravaglia
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Bologna academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Federico Ravaglia has accepted a rotational role behind Skorupski, providing Italian backup depth, cup competition cover, and homegrown continuity. The 26-year-old’s shot-stopping (72% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Ravaglia started 10 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Skorupski’s rest), keeping 4 clean sheets. Ravaglia’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Nicola Bagnolini
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Bologna academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nicola Bagnolini has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Bologna’s youth setup. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Defenders
1. Jhon Lucumí
Nationality: Colombian
Former Clubs: Deportivo Cali, Genk, Bologna
Transfer Fee: £7 million (2022)
Jhon Lucumí has become Bologna’s defensive leader and one of Serie A’s most underrated centre-backs, the Colombian international providing physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence across four seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (84%) leads Bologna’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Lucumí’s tackling (2.7 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His passing (88% completion) remains secure. Lucumí’s partnership with Sam Beukema has conceded only 1.02 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Lucumí’s contract runs through 2029, with Bologna rejecting January 2026 approaches.
2. Sam Beukema
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Go Ahead Eagles, AZ Alkmaar
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2023)
Sam Beukema has become Lucumí’s long-term partner, the Dutch centre-back providing passing range, tactical intelligence, and defensive improvement following his arrival from AZ Alkmaar. The 27-year-old’s passing (5.0 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion), particularly his line-breaking verticals and diagonals to advancing wing-backs, initiates attacks from deep. Beukema’s reading of the game (2.3 interceptions per 90) and positioning provide defensive security. His aerial duel success (81%) and tackling (2.5 per 90) complement Lucumí’s physicality. Beukema’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Tommaso Corazza
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Bologna academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Tommaso Corazza has become Bologna’s first-choice right-back following his graduation from the academy, the Italian youth international providing energy, crossing, and defensive diligence. The 24-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. His defensive positioning (2.0 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.6 per 90) provide balance. Corazza’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Juan Miranda
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Barcelona B, Schalke 04, Real Betis
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Juan Miranda has become Bologna’s first-choice left-back, the Spanish youth international providing attacking thrust, crossing, and technical quality following his free transfer from Real Betis. The 25-year-old’s overlapping runs (4.0 per 90) and crossing (39% accuracy) created 6 assists in 2025/26. His defensive positioning (1.9 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.4 per 90) have improved through consistent first-team exposure. Miranda’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Riccardo Calafiori
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Roma, Genoa (loan), Basel
Transfer Fee: £4 million (2023)
Riccardo Calafiori has fully emerged as one of Serie A’s most exciting young defenders, the Italian centre-back providing versatility, ball-carrying, and composure that earned him a senior Azzurri call-up in 2025. The 23-year-old’s ball-carrying (4.2 progressive carries per 90) through defensive lines bypasses opposition presses. His left-footed passing (4.9 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) initiates attacks from deep. Calafiori’s versatility across centre-back and left-back offers Bologna tactical flexibility. Calafiori’s contract runs through 2029, with Bologna rejecting January 2026 approaches from Juventus.
6. Stefan Posch
Nationality: Austrian (covered in Como; departed Bologna 2025)
7. Lorenzo De Silvestri
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Lazio, Sampdoria, Torino
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Lorenzo De Silvestri has provided right-back depth following his free transfer from Torino, offering Italian experience and defensive diligence. The 37-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
8. Kevin Bonifazi
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Torino, SPAL (loan)
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2021)
Kevin Bonifazi has provided emergency centre-back depth following his return from loan spells. The 29-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Midfielders
1. Lewis Ferguson (Captain)
Nationality: Scottish
Former Clubs: Hamilton Academical, Aberdeen
Transfer Fee: £2.5 million (2022)
Lewis Ferguson has become Bologna’s captain and most important player, the Scottish international providing goals, leadership, and tactical intelligence that has transformed the club’s midfield. The 26-year-old’s finishing (11 goals in 2025/26) and late arrivals into the box (4.2 shots per 90 from central areas) provide elite production from midfield. His work rate (11.9 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.6 pressures per 90) set Bologna’s standards. Ferguson’s tackling (2.9 per 90) and interceptions (2.3 per 90) provide midfield security. His leadership, formalised as club captain in 2024 following Roberto Soriano’s departure, manages Bologna’s dressing room through vocal authority and professional standards. Ferguson’s contract runs through 2029, with Bologna rejecting January 2026 approaches from Napoli. Ferguson’s performance against Roma in 2025—scoring a brace, making 8 tackles—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Remo Freuler
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: Winterthur, Young Boys, Atalanta, Nottingham Forest
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2024)
Remo Freuler has become Bologna’s midfield metronome, the Swiss international providing passing security, tactical intelligence, and European experience following his return to Serie A. The 33-year-old’s passing (5.4 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) and composure under pressure enable Bologna to build play through midfield. His work rate (11.5 kilometres per match) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide midfield security. Freuler’s experience—including 60+ Switzerland caps and Champions League football with Atalanta—provides dressing room leadership. Freuler’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Michel Aebischer
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: Young Boys
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2022)
Michel Aebischer has emerged as a reliable midfield rotation option following patient integration, the Swiss international providing energy, ball-carrying, and tactical discipline. The 28-year-old’s ball-carrying (3.8 progressive carries per 90) and work rate (11.3 kilometres per match) provide functional depth. Aebischer’s relationship with Swiss teammate Freuler provides comfort and on-pitch communication. Aebischer’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Jesper Karlsson
Nationality: Swedish
Former Clubs: IF Elfsborg, AZ Alkmaar
Transfer Fee: £10 million (2023)
Jesper Karlsson has provided attacking midfield and wide depth following his arrival from AZ Alkmaar, the Swedish international providing creativity, dribbling, and goal threat. The 27-year-old’s dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Karlsson’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Nikola Moro
Nationality: Croatian
Former Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Dynamo Moscow
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2023)
Nikola Moro has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Dynamo Moscow, the Croatian international providing passing quality and tactical discipline. The 27-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Kacper Urbański
Nationality: Polish
Former Clubs: Bologna academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Kacper Urbański has graduated from Bologna’s youth setup to emergency midfield depth following promising development. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Forwards
1. Joshua Zirkzee
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Bayern Munich II, Bayern Munich, Parma (loan), Anderlecht (loan)
Transfer Fee: £12 million (2023)
Joshua Zirkzee has become one of Serie A’s most complete strikers, the Dutch international providing hold-up play, finishing, and creativity that has attracted persistent interest from Premier League clubs. The 24-year-old’s finishing (15 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (26%) provide consistent scoring threat. His hold-up play (76% success receiving back to goal) and link-up with wingers and midfielders, particularly his ability to drop deep and create space, make him unique. Zirkzee’s creativity (8 assists) and dribbling (3.2 successful take-ons per 90) add significant value. Zirkzee’s contract runs through 2029, with Bologna rejecting January 2026 approaches from Manchester United and Arsenal. Zirkzee’s performance against Lazio in 2025—scoring a stunning solo goal, assisting two—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Dan Ndoye
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: Lausanne-Sport, Basel, Nice
Transfer Fee: £7 million (2024)
Dan Ndoye has become Bologna’s primary wide threat, the Swiss international providing pace, dribbling, and end product from the right flank following his arrival from Nice. The 25-year-old’s dribbling (3.8 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent threat. His creativity (6 assists) and crossing (37% accuracy) add value. Ndoye’s work rate—tracking full-backs (1.8 tackles per 90)—suits Bologna’s demanding system. Ndoye’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Alexis Saelemaekers
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Anderlecht, AC Milan
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2024, following loan)
Alexis Saelemaekers has become a reliable wide option following his permanent signing from AC Milan, the Belgian international providing work rate, dribbling, and versatility across both flanks. The 26-year-old’s dribbling (3.4 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Saelemaekers’s work rate defensively—tracking full-backs (1.9 tackles per 90)—makes him valuable in transitional moments. Saelemaekers’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Santiago Castro
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: Vélez Sarsfield
Transfer Fee: £9 million (2024)
Santiago Castro has emerged as a promising striking option following his arrival from Vélez Sarsfield, the Argentine youth international providing physicality, finishing, and hold-up play as Zirkzee’s understudy. The 21-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) and hold-up play (70% success) provide functional depth. Castro’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Nicola Dalmonte
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Bologna academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nicola Dalmonte has provided emergency wide depth following his graduation from Bologna’s academy. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Antonio Raimondo
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Bologna academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Antonio Raimondo has provided emergency striker depth following development with Bologna’s youth setup. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Charalampos Lykogiannis
Nationality: Greek
Former Clubs: Olympiacos, Cagliari
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Charalampos Lykogiannis has provided emergency left-back and left-wing depth following his free transfer from Cagliari. The 32-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
Conclusion
Bologna’s 2025/26 squad represents the most talented and tactically sophisticated group assembled since the club’s glory days of the 1990s (featuring Giuseppe Signori, Roberto Baggio, and Kennet Andersson), a testament to Giovanni Sartori’s recruitment genius (Zirkzee, Ferguson, Beukema), the academy’s continued production (Corazza, Ravaglia), and the club’s newfound European pedigree. The defence, anchored by Jhon Lucumí’s Colombian physicality and Sam Beukema’s Dutch composure, provides platform for Bologna’s possession-based, high-pressing system. The midfield, dominated by Lewis Ferguson’s Scottish leadership and Remo Freuler’s Swiss intelligence, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Joshua Zirkzee’s Dutch brilliance and Dan Ndoye’s Swiss pace, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Bologna has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial sustainability; Zirkzee, Ferguson, Beukema, and Calafiori represent enormous resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining European qualification despite competing with financially superior clubs—and navigating the inevitable departure of star players to richer suitors. Yet the Stadio Dall’Ara’s passionate atmosphere, amplified by supporters who remember the dark days of Serie B and the glorious rise under Thiago Motta, provides emotional fuel. Bologna no longer hopes merely to compete; they expect to challenge for Europe annually. This squad appears equipped to deliver another memorable season. Forza Bologna.
