The 2025/26 season finds US Cremonese back in Serie A following their promotion from Serie B as champions in 2024/25, ending a three-year exile that saw the club bounce back immediately after relegation. I Grigiorossi (The Grey and Reds), wearing their distinctive striped shirts, return to the top flight under the guidance of Giovanni Stroppa, the manager who masterminded their promotion. The Stadio Giovanni Zini, one of Italian football’s oldest venues (opened in 1919), with its intimate stands and passionate Curva Zini, once again hosts the likes of Juventus, Inter, and Milan. The club’s ownership under Giovanni Arvedi (owner of the Arvedi steel group) has provided stability and patient investment, allowing Cremonese to rebuild after their previous brief and unsuccessful Serie A stint (2022/23). This season’s squad reflects Cremonese’s pragmatic identity: experienced veterans, physical defenders, hard-working midfielders, and a collective work rate designed to survive against more illustrious opponents. There is no expectation of European football, only the desperate fight to avoid an immediate return to Serie B while re-establishing the club as a top-flight fixture. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Cremonese’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Ionuț Radu
Nationality: Romanian
Former Clubs: Inter Milan, Genoa (loan), Cremonese (loan), Cremonese (permanent)
Transfer Fee: £1.5 million (2024)
Ionuț Radu has become Cremonese’s undisputed number one following his permanent signing from Inter Milan, the Romanian international providing reflexes, command, and redemption after years of loan itinerancy. The 28-year-old’s shot-stopping (75% save percentage in 2024/25 Serie B, 73% in 2025/26 Serie A to date) and command of the penalty area (86% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Cremonese’s promotion and subsequent survival battle. Radu’s distribution (87% pass completion) remains functional, but his shot-stopping fundamentals have proven reliable. Having started 35 league matches in 2024/25’s promotion campaign and 30 in 2025/26, keeping 15 clean sheets combined, he has silenced pre-season sceptics who remembered his infamous error against Bologna for Inter. Radu’s relationship with Romanian teammates provides comfort; his Serie A experience with Inter (though limited) provides big-game exposure. Radu’s contract runs through 2029. Radu’s performance against Milan in November 2025—making 9 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his redemption.
2. Mouhamadou Sarr
Nationality: Senegalese
Former Clubs: Cremonese academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Mouhamadou Sarr has accepted a rotational role behind Radu, providing Senegalese youth pedigree, cup competition cover, and long-term potential. The 22-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Sarr started 10 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Radu’s rest), keeping 4 clean sheets. Sarr’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Gianluca Saro
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Cremonese academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Gianluca Saro has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Cremonese’s youth setup. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Valentin Antov
Nationality: Bulgarian
Former Clubs: CSKA Sofia, Monza (loan), Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2024)
Valentin Antov has become Cremonese’s defensive leader, the Bulgarian international providing physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence following his permanent signing from Monza. The 25-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.4 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing wing-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (85%) leads Cremonese’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Antov’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His passing (87% completion) remains secure. Antov’s partnership with Luka Lochoshvili has conceded only 1.15 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Antov’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Luka Lochoshvili
Nationality: Georgian
Former Clubs: Dinamo Tbilisi, Wolfsberger AC, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2023)
Luka Lochoshvili has become Antov’s long-term partner, the Georgian centre-back providing physicality, aerial presence, and tactical discipline across three seasons at the club. The 27-year-old’s aerial duel success (84%) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide defensive security. Lochoshvili’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Matteo Bianchetti (Captain)
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Verona, Spezia (loan), Cremonese
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2021)
Matteo Bianchetti has become Cremonese’s captain and longest-serving current defender, the Italian providing experience, leadership, and centre-back depth across five seasons at the club. The 32-year-old’s aerial duel success (83%) and tackling (2.5 per 90) provide functional cover. Bianchetti’s leadership, formalised as club captain following the promotion campaign, manages Cremonese’s dressing room through vocal authority and professional standards. Bianchetti’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Paolo Ghiglione
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Genoa, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2022)
Paolo Ghiglione has become Cremonese’s first-choice right-back, the Italian defender providing pace, crossing, and defensive diligence across four seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Ghiglione’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Emanuele Valeri
Nationality: Italian (covered in Parma; departed Cremonese 2024)
6. Tommaso Barbieri
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Juventus B, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2023)
Tommaso Barbieri has provided right-back depth following his arrival from Juventus B, the Italian defender offering energy and crossing. The 25-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.4 per 90) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Barbieri’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Daniel Leo
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Cremonese academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Daniel Leo has provided centre-back depth following his graduation from Cremonese’s youth setup. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
8. Alessandro Tuia
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Lazio, Salernitana (loan), Lecce (loan), Cremonese
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Alessandro Tuia has provided emergency centre-back depth following his free transfer from Lecce, the Italian defender offering experience. The 35-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
Midfielders
1. Michele Collocolo
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Verona, Perugia (loan), Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £1.5 million (2023)
Michele Collocolo has become Cremonese’s midfield engine and creative heartbeat, the Italian midfielder providing passing range, energy, and tactical intelligence across three seasons at the club. The 26-year-old’s passing (4.8 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) and composure under pressure enable Cremonese to build play through midfield. Collocolo’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (4 assists) provide balanced output. Collocolo’s work rate (11.5 kilometres per match) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide midfield security. Collocolo’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Charles Pickel
Nationality: Swiss (Congolese descent)
Former Clubs: FC Basel, Famalicão, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2023)
Charles Pickel has become Cremonese’s midfield destroyer, the Swiss-Congolese midfielder providing physicality, tackling, and tactical discipline across three seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s tackling (3.2 per 90) and interceptions (2.5 per 90) lead Cremonese’s midfield. His work rate (11.7 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.4 pressures per 90) set Stroppa’s standards. Pickel’s passing (87% completion) remains basic; his role involves disruption and physical presence. Pickel’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Paolo Bartolomei
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Perugia, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £1 million (2022)
Paolo Bartolomei has provided midfield depth following his long service, the Italian midfielder offering experience, passing, and tactical discipline. The 29-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Gonzalo Abrego
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: Godoy Cruz, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2024)
Gonzalo Abrego has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Godoy Cruz, the Argentine midfielder offering energy, tackling, and physicality. The 25-year-old’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and work rate provide functional depth. Abrego’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Luca Zanimacchia
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Juventus U23, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2023)
Luca Zanimacchia has provided wide midfield and attacking depth following his arrival from Juventus, the Italian winger offering pace, dribbling, and creativity. The 27-year-old’s dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (3 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Zanimacchia’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Alessandro Sersanti
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Cremonese academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Alessandro Sersanti has graduated from Cremonese’s youth setup to emergency midfield depth following promising development. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Forwards
1. Massimo Coda
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: San Marino (loan), Parma (loan), Salernitana (loan), Benevento, Lecce, Genoa, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2024)
Massimo Coda has become Cremonese’s attacking talisman, the veteran Italian striker providing finishing, movement, and penalty-box presence that powered the club’s promotion (22 goals in 2024/25 Serie B). The 37-year-old’s finishing (11 goals in 2025/26 Serie A) and conversion rate (24%) remain effective despite his age. Coda’s movement off the shoulder (2.9 shots per 90) and penalty-box instincts make him a constant threat. Coda’s contract runs through 2028, with retirement likely thereafter. Coda’s performance against Frosinone in 2024/25—scoring a hat-trick to seal promotion—cemented his legend.
2. David Okereke
Nationality: Nigerian
Former Clubs: Spezia, Cremonese (loan), Cremonese (permanent)
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2023)
David Okereke has provided striker depth following his permanent signing from Spezia, the Nigerian forward offering pace, finishing, and movement as Coda’s understudy. The 27-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) and dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90) provide functional depth. Okereke’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Daniel Ciofani
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Frosinone, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Daniel Ciofani has provided veteran striker depth following his free transfer from Frosinone, the Italian forward offering physicality, hold-up play, and penalty-box presence. The 39-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Ciofani’s contract expires in 2027.
4. Franco Vázquez
Nationality: Argentine (Italian-born)
Former Clubs: Palermo, Sevilla, Parma, Cremonese
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Franco Vázquez, now 36, has provided attacking midfield and second-striker depth following his free transfer from Parma, the Argentine-Italian playmaker offering creativity, close control, and magical moments in limited minutes. Vázquez’s contract expires in 2027.
5. Cristian Buonaiuto
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Juventus, Crotone (loan), Cremonese
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Cristian Buonaiuto has provided wide and attacking depth following his long service, the Italian winger offering energy, crossing, and creativity. The 32-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Felix Afena-Gyan
Nationality: Ghanaian
Former Clubs: Roma, Cremonese (loan), Cremonese (permanent)
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2023)
Felix Afena-Gyan has provided wide depth following his permanent signing from Roma, the Ghanaian forward offering pace, power, and potential. The 22-year-old’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Afena-Gyan’s contract runs through 2029.
Conclusion
Cremonese’s 2025/26 squad represents the most organised and resilient group assembled since the club’s previous Serie A stints, a testament to Giovanni Stroppa’s pragmatic coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Radu, Antov, Coda), and the club’s patient rebuilding after the 2022/23 relegation. The defence, anchored by Valentin Antov’s Bulgarian physicality and Luka Lochoshvili’s Georgian solidity, provides platform for Cremonese’s organised, defensively sound survival system. The midfield, dominated by Charles Pickel’s Swiss-Congolese destruction and Michele Collocolo’s Italian creativity, controls matches through pressing, disruption, and occasional quality. The attack, headlined by Massimo Coda’s veteran finishing and David Okereke’s Nigerian pace, carries sufficient goal threat to secure survival. Crucially, Cremonese has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial sustainability; Antov, Pickel, and Collocolo represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining Serie A status after the club’s previous brief and unsuccessful top-flight campaign (2022/23, finishing 19th)—avoiding the same fate while establishing the club as a stable Serie A fixture. Yet the Stadio Zini’s historic, intimate atmosphere—amplified by supporters who remember the club’s 1990s golden era featuring Gianluca Vialli (born in Cremona) and the more recent dark days in Serie C—provides emotional fuel. Cremonese no longer hopes merely to survive; they expect to establish themselves as a credible top-flight club from Lombardy, proudly representing their city. This squad appears equipped to deliver another season of Serie A football.
