The 2025/26 season finds US Sassuolo Calcio back in Serie A following their promotion from Serie B as champions in 2024/25, ending a one-year exile that tested the club’s resilience but ultimately reinforced its identity. I Neroverdi (The Black and Greens), under the guidance of Fabio Grosso—the 2006 World Cup-winning left-back who took charge in 2024—have returned to the top flight with their famed attacking philosophy intact. The Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia, shared with Reggiana, has been a launching pad for some of Italian football’s most exciting talents over the past decade. The club’s unique partnership with the Mapei conglomerate provides financial stability without the pressure of billionaire ownership. This season’s squad reflects Sassuolo’s enduring identity: technical midfielders, aggressive wingers, a high-pressing system, and an unwavering commitment to developing young players for resale. There is no expectation of European football, only the desperate fight to avoid an immediate return to Serie B while playing attractive, possession-based football. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Sassuolo’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Andrea Consigli (Captain)
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Atalanta, Rimini (loan)
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2014)
Andrea Consigli has become Sassuolo’s longest-serving current first-team player and captain, the Italian veteran providing shot-stopping reliability, leadership, and dressing room continuity across a decade and a half at the club. The 38-year-old’s reflexes (73% save percentage in 2024/25 Serie B, 72% in 2025/26 Serie A to date) and command of the penalty area (85% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Sassuolo’s promotion and subsequent survival battle. Consigli’s distribution (87% pass completion) remains functional, but his experience is invaluable. Having started 32 league matches in 2024/25’s promotion campaign and 30 in 2025/26, keeping 13 clean sheets combined, he remains remarkably durable for his age. Consigli’s leadership, formalised as club captain, manages Sassuolo’s dressing room through professional standards and veteran authority. Consigli’s contract expires in 2027, with a coaching role at the club likely thereafter. Consigli’s performance against Inter Milan in December 2025—making 9 saves, including a penalty stop—demonstrated enduring quality.
2. Alessio Cragno
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Brescia, Cagliari, Monza
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2025)
Alessio Cragno’s summer 2025 arrival from Monza added Italian international experience (youth level), shot-stopping quality, and competition for Consigli following his free transfer. The 31-year-old’s reflexes (74% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (88% pass completion) provide functional cover. Cragno started 8 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Consigli’s rest), keeping 3 clean sheets. Cragno’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Giacomo Satalino
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Sassuolo academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Giacomo Satalino has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Sassuolo’s youth setup. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Martin Erlić
Nationality: Croatian
Former Clubs: Spezia, Almería (loan)
Transfer Fee: £6 million (2024)
Martin Erlić has become Sassuolo’s defensive leader following his permanent signing from Spezia, the Croatian international providing physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence. The 27-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.4 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (84%) leads Sassuolo’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Erlić’s tackling (2.7 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His passing (88% completion) remains secure. Erlić’s partnership with Gian Marco Ferrari has conceded only 1.18 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Erlić’s contract runs through 2029.
2. Gian Marco Ferrari
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Crotone (loan), Sampdoria
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2019)
Gian Marco Ferrari has become Erlić’s long-term partner, the Italian centre-back providing left-footed balance, experience, and tactical discipline across seven seasons at the club. The 33-year-old’s left-footed passing (4.5 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) initiates attacks from deep. Ferrari’s reading of the game (2.2 interceptions per 90) and positioning provide defensive security. Ferrari’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Jeremy Toljan
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: 1899 Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund, Celtic (loan), US Sassuolo
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2022)
Jeremy Toljan has become Sassuolo’s first-choice right-back, the German defender providing pace, crossing, and defensive diligence across four seasons at the club. The 31-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 (2.5 per 90) provide balance. Toljan’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Riccardo Marchizza
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Roma, Spezia (loan)
Transfer Fee: £4 million (2022)
Riccardo Marchizza has provided left-back depth following his arrival from Roma, the Italian defender offering crossing, defensive diligence, and versatility. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.4 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Marchizza’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Josh Doig
Nationality: Scottish
Former Clubs: Hibernian, Hellas Verona
Transfer Fee: £4 million (2024)
Josh Doig has become Sassuolo’s first-choice left-back following his arrival from Hellas Verona, the Scottish youth international providing energy, overlapping runs, and defensive improvement. The 23-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.9 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 5 assists in 2025/26. Doig’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Mattia Viti
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Empoli, Nice (loan)
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2024)
Mattia Viti has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from Nice, the Italian youth international offering physicality, aerial presence, and tactical discipline. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Cas Odenthal
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Como, Sassuolo
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2025)
Cas Odenthal’s summer 2025 arrival from Como added Dutch centre-back depth and physicality to Sassuolo’s squad. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Midfielders
1. Kristian Thorstvedt
Nationality: Norwegian
Former Clubs: Viking, Genk
Transfer Fee: £10 million (2022)
Kristian Thorstvedt has become Sassuolo’s midfield engine and primary goal threat from the middle, the Norwegian international providing physicality, late arrivals into the box, and finishing that has made him one of Serie A’s most productive central midfielders. The 26-year-old’s finishing (9 goals in 2025/26) and late arrivals into the box (3.5 shots per 90 from central areas) provide elite production from midfield. His work rate (11.6 kilometres per match) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide midfield security. Thorstvedt’s passing (87% completion) remains basic, but his role involves disruption and goal-scoring. Thorstvedt’s contract runs through 2029, with Sassuolo rejecting January 2026 approaches.
2. Pedro Obiang
Nationality: Spanish (Equatorial Guinean descent)
Former Clubs: Sampdoria, West Ham United
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Pedro Obiang has become Sassuolo’s midfield anchor and veteran leader, the Spanish midfielder providing passing security, tactical intelligence, and experience across three seasons at the club. The 33-year-old’s passing (5.0 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) and composure under pressure enable Sassuolo to build play through midfield. Obiang’s tackling (2.7 per 90) and interceptions (2.3 per 90) provide midfield security. Obiang’s contract runs through 2028.
3. Nedim Bajrami
Nationality: Albanian
Former Clubs: Empoli
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2023)
Nedim Bajrami has become Sassuolo’s creative heartbeat, the Albanian international providing dribbling, passing, and set-piece delivery from attacking midfield. The 26-year-old’s dribbling (3.5 successful take-ons per 90) and creativity (7 assists in 2025/26) provide functional production. Bajrami’s finishing (5 goals) and set-piece delivery (3 assists from corners and free kicks) add value. Bajrami’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Daniel Boloca
Nationality: Romanian
Former Clubs: Frosinone
Transfer Fee: £4 million (2024)
Daniel Boloca has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Frosinone, the Romanian international providing energy, tackling, and tactical discipline. The 26-year-old’s tackling (2.9 per 90) and work rate provide functional depth. Boloca’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Luca Mazzitelli
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Sassuolo academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Luca Mazzitelli has provided midfield depth following his return from loan spells, the Italian midfielder offering work rate, tackling, and tactical discipline. The 29-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Justin Kumi
Nationality: Italian (Ghanaian descent)
Former Clubs: Sassuolo academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Justin Kumi has graduated from Sassuolo’s youth setup to emergency midfield depth following promising development. The 20-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Forwards
1. Andrea Pinamonti
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Inter Milan, Genoa (loan), Empoli (loan)
Transfer Fee: £15 million (2022)
Andrea Pinamonti has become Sassuolo’s attacking talisman and one of Serie A’s most consistent Italian strikers, the 26-year-old providing finishing, hold-up play, and movement that has justified his significant transfer fee. Pinamonti’s finishing (16 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (25%) provide elite scoring threat. His hold-up play (72% success receiving back to goal) and movement off the shoulder (3.2 shots per 90) occupy defenders, creating space for wingers and midfielders. Pinamonti’s work rate pressing centre-backs (10.6 pressures per 90) sets Sassuolo’s defensive tone from the front. Pinamonti’s contract runs through 2029, with Sassuolo rejecting January 2026 approaches.
2. Armand Laurienté
Nationality: French (Martiniquais descent)
Former Clubs: Lorient
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2022)
Armand Laurienté has become one of Serie A’s most exciting wingers, the French-Martiniquais attacker providing pace, dribbling, and end product from the left flank across four seasons at Sassuolo. The 27-year-old’s dribbling (4.2 successful take-ons per 90) and acceleration (0-30 km/h in 2.5 seconds) terrorise defenders. His finishing (11 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (8 assists) provide elite production from wide areas. Laurienté’s work rate defensively—tracking full-backs (1.7 tackles per 90)—improved through Grosso’s demands. Laurienté’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Samuele Mulattieri
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Inter Milan, Crotone (loan), Frosinone (loan)
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2024)
Samuele Mulattieri has provided striker depth following his arrival from Inter Milan, the Italian forward offering finishing, movement, and physical presence as Pinamonti’s understudy. The 25-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) and hold-up play (69% success) provide functional depth. Mulattieri’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Gregoire Defrel
Nationality: French (Martiniquais descent)
Former Clubs: Parma, Roma, Sampdoria
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Gregoire Defrel has accepted a veteran rotational role following his free transfer from Roma, the French forward providing experience, versatility, and work rate across the frontline. The 34-year-old’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Defrel’s contract expires in 2027.
5. Cristian Volpato
Nationality: Italian (Australian-born)
Former Clubs: Roma
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2024)
Cristian Volpato has provided attacking midfield and wide depth following his arrival from Roma, the Italian-Australian youth international providing creativity, dribbling, and finishing potential. The 22-year-old’s finishing (3 goals in 2025/26) and dribbling (3.1 successful take-ons per 90) suggest potential. Volpato’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Nicholas Bonfanti
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Sassuolo academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nicholas Bonfanti has provided emergency striker depth following his graduation from Sassuolo’s youth setup. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Conclusion
Sassuolo’s 2025/26 squad represents the most resilient and technically proficient group assembled since the club’s debut Serie A season in 2013/14, a testament to Fabio Grosso’s coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Thorstvedt, Erlić, Laurienté), and the club’s unwavering commitment to attractive, attacking football. The defence, anchored by Martin Erlić’s Croatian physicality and Gian Marco Ferrari’s Italian experience, provides platform for Sassuolo’s high-pressing, possession-based system. The midfield, dominated by Kristian Thorstvedt’s Norwegian goal threat and Pedro Obiang’s Spanish composure, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and occasional quality. The attack, headlined by Andrea Pinamonti’s Italian finishing and Armand Laurienté’s French-Martiniquais wizardry, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Sassuolo has balanced immediate survival with financial sustainability; Pinamonti, Thorstvedt, Laurienté, and Erlić represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining Serie A status despite the club’s modest budget and the constant threat of losing star players to richer clubs—a reality Sassuolo has navigated brilliantly for a decade. Yet the Mapei Stadium’s intimate atmosphere provides emotional fuel. Sassuolo does not hope merely to survive; they expect to play attractive football, develop talent, and secure mid-table security. This squad appears equipped to deliver another season of top-flight football, continuing the club’s remarkable transformation from provincial newcomer into established Serie A mainstay. Forza Sassuolo.
