Pasquale Foggia

Lore & Background

Born in Naples, Italy, Foggia started playing football at a young age for local Neapolitan side Cral Banco di Napoli. He was then spotted by Padova and spent some time in their youth system before briefly playing in AC Milan's youth team before being involved in two long-term co-ownership deals (with Empoli and Treviso). Professionally, he made his debut with Serie C1 side Treviso in 2000. Foggia played for three seasons with Treviso, gaining his first honour by helping the club to promotion into Serie B during 2003.

A move to Serie A side Empoli followed, it was during the 2003–04 season that he made his first appearance at the top level of Italian football. During the following two years Foggia was loaned out to gain more experience, first to Crotone and then to Ascoli where he spent the 2005–06 season in Serie A. After a loan spell at Lazio in the summer of 2006, for €150,000, he was transferred to them permanently in January 2007 from AC Milan for €3 million; the transfer deal involved Massimo Oddo moving in the opposite direction.

He was sent on loan to Reggina Calcio the next day for the rest of the season, for €250,000. While on loan at Cagliari during the 2007–08 season that Foggia began to impress which is largely due to scoring two goals against Juventus. Cagliari paid €2.5 million to Lazio for the loan. However, Cagliari president Massimo Cellino turned down the chance to sign Foggia who returned to Lazio.

In 2008–09 Foggia became a key member for Lazio playing 33 games and scoring 8 goals (4 of which were free kicks). On 15 August 2013, he signed with Lega Pro Prima Divisione club Salernitana. On 1 September 2014, Foggia was released. Foggia was also a member of the Italy national under-21 football team, making four appearances.

After showing good form while on loan to Cagliari, he was called up for the Italy national football team, and made his senior international debut under manager Roberto Donadoni, against South Africa, on 17 October 2007. Foggia's 2008–09 form for Lazio made him a key figure for Lazio which helped him earn a call up to the national squad under manager Marcello Lippi. In total, he made three appearances for Italy between 2007 and 2009, scoring his only international goal in a 3–0 friendly home win against Northern Ireland on 6 June 2009.

Reader's Guide

Pasquale Foggia is a former Italian left winger or attacking midfielder, known for his dribbling and chance creation. He played for clubs including Treviso, Empoli, Lazio, and Salernitana, and earned three caps for Italy between 2007 and 2009, scoring once. After retiring, he became a sporting director.