Michele Paolucci (born 6 February 1986) is an Italian footballer who plays as a forward for Canadian club FC Manitoba.
Club career
Juventus and loans Paolucci came through the ranks at Juventus. After graduating from their Primavera youth team. However, despite being called up to the first team he never made an official Serie A appearance for the Old Lady. He played with Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio.
In 2006–07 season he was loaned to Ascoli, made his team and Serie A debut on 10 September 2006, against Atalanta. After his successful spell at Ascoli where he would go on to score 6 goals in 32 Serie A appearances, he returned shortly to Juventus.
Udinese and loans In mid-2007, he moved to Udinese on a co-ownership deal, as part of the Juventus's deal to sign Vincenzo Iaquinta. The price tag of Paolucci's 50% registration rights, was €1.355 million at that time. He made his official game debut in the Italian Cup, scored two goals against Bari on 29 August 2007. He made just 2 appearances in 5 months at Udinese.
In January 2008 Juventus and Udinese loaned him out to Atalanta, where he would play until 30 June 2008.
In June 2008, Juventus and Udinese again loaned Paolucci out, this time to Sicilian club, Catania. He scored 7 goals that season, in the Serie A and had been regularly included in first team action, under coach Walter Zenga. He made a total of 28 starts for the club.
Siena and loans In June 2009, Paolucci returned to Udinese, but was immediately bought back fully by Juventus for €3.3 million. On 8 July 2009 he joined Siena on a co-ownership for the same price. He signed a 5-year contract. Paolucci did not manage to hold down a regular starting place at Siena, making just 10 Serie A appearances, and scoring just twice.
After not obtaining a regular starting place and also due to Juventus' striker injury crisis, he was loan back by Juventus on 16 January 2010, by Juve paying Siena €500,000. Originally acquired as addition to an injury-ridden team, Paolucci never broke into the first team and ended his second Juve stint with only four league appearances before to return to Siena, now relegated to Serie B.
After a disappointing period at Siena, with only one second-division appearance with the Tuscans, Paolucci accepted a loan move to Palermo on 31 January 2011, replacing the left of former Siena teammate Massimo Maccarone. He made his debut with the Sicilians only two days later, replacing Fabrizio Miccoli in the final minutes of a home game against his former team Juventus, ended in a 2–1 win for Palermo. Siena elected to loan him out once again to Vicenza for the 2011–12 season after the club acquired the residual 50% rights from Juve for free.
Latina On 28 January 2014, Paolucci left Siena for Serie B side Latina, signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. In 2015, he was released by Latina.
Petrolul On 9 December 2015, Paolucci signed a six-month contract with Romanian side Petrolul, with an option to extend it by a further year.
Catania and Ancona In July 2016 he returned to Italy and moved to Catania; in January 2017 it was sold to Ancona.
Monopoli and Floriana Paolucci joined Italian side Monopoli in mid-2017, and then Maltese side Floriana on 18 January 2018.
Valour FC On 16 July 2019, Paolucci signed with Canadian Premier League side Valour FC.
FC Manitoba On 10 September 2020, Paolucci signed with USL League Two side FC Manitoba as a player and assistant manager.
International career Paolucci made his U-21 team debut against Luxembourg U-21, 12 December 2006, replacing Nicola Pozzi at half time.
Career statistics
+ Club statisticsClubSeasonLeagueNational CupIncludes appearances and goals in the Coppa Italia and the Maltese FA Trophy.League CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsJuventus2005–06Serie A0000——0000Ascoli (loan)2006–07Serie A31612——00328Udinese2007–08Serie A2042——0062Atalanta (loan)2007–08Serie A9000——0099Catania (loan)2008–09Serie A26722——00289Siena2009–10Serie A10210——001122010–11Serie B1000——00102011–12Serie A0000——00002012–13Serie A10210——001122013–14Serie B18552——00237Total39972——004611Juventus (loan)2009–10Serie A4010—000050Palermo (loan)2010–11Serie A2000——0020Vicenza (loan)2011–12Serie B411122——004313Latina2013–14Serie B17300——001732014–15Serie B22220——00242Total39520——00415Petrolul Ploiești2015–16Liga I1210000—00121Catania2016–17Lega Pro18300——00183Ancona2016–17Lega Pro14400——00144Monopoli2017–18Serie C14300——00143Floriana2017–18Maltese Premier League4100——0041Tarxien Rainbows2018–19Maltese Premier League20723——002210Valour FC2019Canadian Premier League15300——00153FC Manitoba2022USL League Two124————124Career total30264211300000032377
References
External links FIGC Profile at gazzetta.it