Overview
Samuele Perisan is an Italian professional footballer, born on August 21, 1997, in San Vito al Tagliamento. Primarily operating as a goalkeeper, Perisan stands at 1.93 meters, providing a significant physical presence in goal. His career has seen him develop through various clubs in Italy, showcasing consistent development and a reliable set of goalkeeping attributes. Currently, he is part of the Empoli FC squad, competing in Serie A.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Perisan's role is fundamental to his team's defensive structure. He is responsible for shot-stopping, commanding his penalty area, organizing the defense, and initiating play from the back. His height provides an advantage in aerial duels and reaching high shots, while his positioning and reflexes are key to his effectiveness between the posts. Goalkeepers like Perisan often serve as the last line of defense and the first point of attack, requiring both technical skill and strong decision-making.
Identity
Perisan's footballing identity is characterized by his composure under pressure and a solid fundamental approach to goalkeeping. He is not often found taking unnecessary risks, instead focusing on reliable saves and effective distribution. He can be described as a traditional shot-stopper with a modern understanding of playing out from the back, albeit often favoring simpler, more direct passes to retain possession or launch attacks. His physical attributes make him a formidable presence in the box, particularly during set pieces.
Career path
Samuele Perisan's football journey began in the youth ranks of Udinese Calcio, a prominent club in his home region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. His development within the Udinese academy was crucial, providing him with a strong foundation in goalkeeping principles from a young age.
Udinese Calcio
Perisan progressed through Udinese's youth system, eventually becoming a part of their Primavera (U19) squad. He made his senior debut for Udinese in a Coppa Italia match in August 2016, a significant milestone in his early career (Transfermarkt). Despite his senior debut, regular first-team opportunities at Udinese were limited due to the presence of more experienced goalkeepers.
Loan spells and development
To gain crucial senior experience, Perisan embarked on several loan spells. In 2017, he joined US Arezzo in Serie C, where he began to establish himself as a regular starter. This period was vital for his growth, providing consistent match exposure in a competitive league environment. Following his time at Arezzo, he continued his development with further loans, including to Padova and Virtus Entella, both in Serie B. These experiences allowed him to adapt to different team structures and coaching philosophies, honing his skills under varied pressures.
Pordenone Calcio
In 2020, Perisan made a permanent move to Pordenone Calcio, where he enjoyed a more prolonged spell as a first-choice goalkeeper. His time at Pordenone was marked by consistent performances in Serie B, where he became known for his reliability and shot-stopping prowess (Soccerway). This period was arguably the most impactful in establishing his reputation as a capable professional goalkeeper in Italy's second tier.
Empoli FC
His strong performances for Pordenone attracted attention from Serie A clubs, leading to his transfer to Empoli FC in 2022. At Empoli, Perisan has served as a valuable backup and occasional starter, competing for a spot in Italy's top flight. His presence adds depth and experience to the squad, ready to step in when called upon in Serie A and Coppa Italia fixtures (Transfermarkt).
Playing style
Samuele Perisan’s playing style is rooted in a blend of traditional goalkeeping strengths and an evolving adaptability to modern demands. His most prominent attributes revolve around his physical stature and reliable shot-stopping.
Shot-Stopping
Perisan excels at shot-stopping, often showcasing quick reflexes and strong hands. His 1.93-meter frame allows him to cover a significant portion of the goal, particularly effective against shots aimed at the top corners. He demonstrates good judgment in one-on-one situations, often narrowing angles effectively to force attackers into difficult finishes. While not always the most acrobatic, his efficiency in getting to the ball and making clean saves is a hallmark of his game.
Aerial Dominance and Command of Area
Given his height, Perisan possesses a natural advantage in aerial duels within the penalty box. He is generally confident coming off his line to claim crosses and corners, providing a sense of stability and reassurance to his defense. His decision-making in these situations is typically sound, prioritizing clearing danger or securing the ball over attempting risky catches. This command of his area helps relieve pressure on his defenders, especially during set pieces.
Distribution
In terms of distribution, Perisan is a competent rather than exceptional ball-playing goalkeeper. He is capable of executing short passes accurately to defenders and midfielders, helping to build play from the back. His long-range distribution, while not a primary weapon, is generally precise enough to find targets upfield, bypassing opposition presses when necessary. He tends to favor pragmatic distribution, focusing on retaining possession or moving the ball quickly into safe areas, rather than attempting overly ambitious passes.
Mentality and Positioning
Perisan displays a calm and composed demeanor in goal, which helps maintain stability for his backline. His positioning is often astute, anticipating shots and movements to place himself optimally. He is a diligent professional who focuses on the fundamentals, minimizing errors and providing a consistent presence. While not known for flamboyant saves, his effectiveness comes from his consistent application of goalkeeping principles.
Achievements & honours
Samuele Perisan's career has been characterized by steady progression through the Italian leagues, contributing to various club campaigns. While specific individual accolades are less common for goalkeepers outside of top-tier recognition, his club tenures have seen him as a key player in achieving team objectives, particularly during his time in Serie B.
His contributions were vital during his loan spells and permanent move to clubs competing in Serie B and Serie C, where he consistently performed as a starting goalkeeper. These experiences, though not always culminating in major trophies, were crucial for his development and establishing his professional standing.
Perisan has been a consistent presence in squads that have achieved promotion objectives or maintained their league status. His time with Pordenone Calcio in Serie B, for instance, saw him as a foundational part of a competitive side, earning regular minutes and becoming a recognized figure in the league.
Club Honours
While specific major trophy wins are yet to be a defining feature of his senior career, Perisan has been part of squads that have had successful league campaigns:
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Empoli FC | Serie A (Squad Member) | 2022-present |
| Pordenone Calcio | Serie B (Regular Starter) | 2020-2022 |
His current role at Empoli FC in Serie A represents the highest level he has competed at, offering valuable experience in Italy's premier division.
International career
Samuele Perisan has represented Italy at various youth levels, showcasing his potential from an early age within the national team setup. His journey through the Italian youth national teams provided him with valuable international experience and exposure to different tactical approaches.
Youth National Teams
Perisan was a regular fixture in Italy's youth international squads, starting from the U16 level and progressing through to the U20s. He made appearances for the Italy U17 team, participating in qualification campaigns and international friendlies (Transfermarkt). His time with the U17 squad included being part of the team that competed in the 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where Italy reached the final.
He subsequently featured for the Italy U19 and U20 teams, accumulating a number of caps across these age groups. These experiences are crucial for young players, providing exposure to international competition, different styles of play, and the pressure of representing their country.
Major Tournament Appearances (Youth)
Perisan's most notable youth international involvement was with the Italy U17 squad at the 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Although Italy finished as runners-up, this tournament provided him with high-level competitive experience on a continental stage (UEFA). His participation in such events underscores his standing as one of Italy's promising goalkeepers in his age cohort.
Senior National Team
As of May 2026, Samuele Perisan has not received a call-up to the senior Italian national team. Competition for the goalkeeper position in the senior squad is notably high, with several established and emerging talents vying for places. However, his continued presence and performances in Serie A with Empoli FC keep him within the broader consideration for future national team selections, particularly as he gains more top-flight experience.
What makes Samuele Perisan stand out
Samuele Perisan's standout attributes are primarily his consistent reliability and a quiet effectiveness that underpins his performances. Unlike goalkeepers known for spectacular, highlight-reel saves, Perisan distinguishes himself through his fundamental soundness and decision-making.
Firstly, his physical presence is a significant advantage. Standing at 1.93 meters, he commands his penalty area with authority, particularly in claiming crosses and dealing with aerial threats. This composure and assurance in dealing with set pieces and high balls reduce pressure on his defensive line. Secondly, his shot-stopping, while not always flashy, is highly effective. He demonstrates good positioning and strong hands, often making difficult saves look routine through intelligent anticipation and efficient movement.
Perhaps his most distinctive trait is his calm demeanor under pressure. Perisan rarely appears flustered, even in high-stakes situations. This mental fortitude translates into fewer errors and a stable presence in goal, which is invaluable for any team. His pragmatic approach to distribution also ensures that possession is usually retained or advanced safely, minimizing risky plays that could lead to turnovers.
"Perisan is a goalkeeper you can rely on. He brings stability and makes the saves you expect him to make, which is often the most important quality." – Editorial summation