Mattia Viti (born 24 January 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for side Sampdoria.
Early life Born in Borgo San Lorenzo, in the province of Florence, Mattia Viti began playing football at the age of 4, with Ponte a Greve—that would later merge with Rondinella Marzocco—in the Tuscan capital. Having moved to nearby Audace Legnaia, he joined the Empoli academy as an 8-year-old in 2010.
Club career Empoli After spending the entirety of the 2019–20 season with the Primavera side, Viti made his senior professional debut on 30 September 2020, starting a 2–1 Coppa Italia win against Renate. He played his first Serie B game with Empoli on 9 April 2021, replacing Nedim Bajrami, in a 1–0 away win against Reggiana, already proving to be decisive with a late-minute goal-line clearance. His side eventually won the championship, making their comeback in Italy's top-flight, while the Primavera squad also won their championship.
On 22 September 2021, he made his Serie A debut in a 2–0 away victory against Cagliari, with Aurelio Andreazzoli making him start and finish the game, as the youngster proved to be instrumental in keeping a clean sheet for the Azzurri.
During the following months—despite having to deal with the loss of his mother in November 2021—he became a regular with the first team, alternating with Sebastiano Luperto and veterans Tonelli and Romagnoli. He was a starter for several important Serie A wins, against the likes of Bologna, Sassuolo and Udinese, appearing as one of the Italian championship's most promising young defenders.
Nice On 3 August 2022, Viti joined Ligue 1 side Nice on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of €13 million. Later that year, on 9 October, he scored his first goal in a 3–2 victory over Troyes.
Loan to Sassuolo On 12 July 2023, Serie A side Sassuolo announced the signing of Viti on a season-long loan with a future option to buy. On 26 May 2024, he netted his first Serie A goal in a 1–1 away draw against Lazio on the final matchday of the season.
Return to Empoli on loan On 22 July 2024, Viti returned to Empoli, signing on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season, with an option to make the deal permanent.
Loan to Fiorentina On 1 July 2025, Viti joined Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy.
Loan to Sampdoria On 17 January 2026, Viti moved on a new loan to Sampdoria in Serie B.
Sampdoria On July 31, 2026, Viti joined Sampdoria on a permanent deal until 2030.
International career Viti is a youth international for Italy, having played at under-15, under-16 and under-18 levels.
In September 2021, he was selected for the under-20 side, making his debut during a 1–0 away friendly win against Serbia on 6 September, and becoming a regular starter for the team in November, before being promoted to the under-21 side, where he was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Style of play He is a left-footed centre-back who is 1.90m and 84kg.
He has been compared to former Empoli star Daniele Rugani, and his profile is often associated with that of Alessandro Bastoni. He cites Sergio Ramos and Paolo Maldini as his main inspirations as a player.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsEmpoli2020–21Serie B2030—502021–22Serie A20010—210Total 22040—260Nice2022–23Ligue 1910030121Sassuolo (loan)2023–24Serie A1513000181Empoli (loan)2024–25Serie A3013000331Fiorentina (loan)2025–26Serie A1000050150Career total 863100801043
Honours Empoli
Serie B: 2020–21
References
External links