Who is Pietro Comuzzo? Defender wanted by Sunderland and Man United
Pietro Comuzzo is a name that Sunderland fans might need to familiarise themselves with.
Sunderland are not just looking to cling on in the Premier League next season – the Black Cats are looking to compete.
As a result, the club were keen to recruit top-flight proven talents, demonstrated by the signing of Granit Xhaka.
However, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is planning on building a dynasty at the Stadium of Light. With that comes the need for potential world-class talent, and Comuzzo could tick all the boxes.
Who is Comuzzo?
Comuzzo’s introduction to football was at local grassroots club Tricesimo aged six, before joining the youth sectors of Udinese and Pordenone. He then leapt forward and joined Fiorentina’s academy in 2019.
The defender showed real potential from the jump, climbing through Viola’s youth ranks before being named captain of the Under-18s.
- Comuzzo was promoted to the Under-19s in the first months of 2023
- In March 2023, he reached a personal milestone, signing his first professional contract with Fiorentina until 2025
- He then went on to prove his class, helping the Under-19s win the Supercoppa Primavera and Coppa Italia final during the same season
Comuzzo was given the nod by manager Vincenzo Italiano at the start of the 2023/24 season, where he began training with the first team.
On 8 October 2023, he made his senior debut, coming in as a substitute for Jonathan Ikone in a 3-1 victory over Napoli in Serie A.
Comuzzo’s fortunes continued to prevail when he made his first professional start in a 1-1 league draw against Parma on 17 August 2024.
Comuzzo continues to rise at international level
The talented defender shocked Italy when he earned his first senior international call-up in November.
Comuzzo was a known face in Italy before this, representing his country at the Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 levels. In fact, he received his first call-up to the Under-20 national team almost one year before his senior one.
But Comuzzo is far from a talent who is destined to remain on the sidelines. He is a versatile defender who is known for his physicality, precision and adaptability – and it seems Luciano Spalletti is all too aware of his potential.
On 8 November 2024, Spalletti included the centre-back in the Italy senior team squad for the UEFA Nations League fixtures against France and Belgium.
Sunderland and Manchester United’s interest in Comuzzo
The 20-year-old centre-back was a regular feature for Fiorentina last season, making 44 appearances in all competitions and even netting a goal in Serie A.
His potential has not escaped English giants Manchester United, who sent scouts to watch Comuzzo during the Italian club’s match against Nottingham Forest last week, according to Corriere dello Sport (9 August).
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Yellow Cards |
| 2024/25 | 44 | 1 | 6 |
United join Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland in their pursuit of the defender.
The Black Cats will need to up their game to combat Man United, who will have another chance to see Comuzzo in action when they take on Viola at Old Trafford on Saturday (9 August).
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