Giacomo Vrioni Bio
Giacomo Vrioni (Albanian: Xhakomo Vrioni; born 15 October 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward. Standing 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall, he currently plays for Serie B club Cesena, having joined the Italian side in February 2026. Born in San Severino Marche, Italy, Vrioni represents the Albania national team at senior level after switching his allegiance from Italy, where he had previously played at youth level.
Over the course of his career, Vrioni has played in Italy, Austria, the United States, Canada, and now back in Italy, building experience across several top European leagues and Major League Soccer. He is recognized for his finishing, movement in the box, and ability to perform in big matches, including scoring a historic hat-trick in an international competition during his time in MLS.
Early Life and Background
Giacomo Vrioni was born on 15 October 1998 in San Severino Marche, a small town in the province of Macerata, in central Italy. He grew up in a region with a strong footballing tradition, and from a young age he developed an interest in the sport through local youth teams. His family background is connected to Albania, a heritage that would later shape his international career.
Vrioni’s first taste of organized senior football came at Matelica, a club then playing in Italy’s Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football. He made four appearances for Matelica during the 2014–2015 season, gaining valuable experience as a teenager and catching the attention of bigger clubs. In January 2015, he was signed by Sampdoria, one of Italy’s historic clubs, where he continued his development in their youth setup.
Path to Professional Football
After joining Sampdoria’s youth system, Vrioni quickly established himself as a promising forward. Over the following seasons, he scored 20 goals and recorded 6 assists across 58 youth matches for the club. During the 2016–17 season, he was even named as an unused substitute for Sampdoria’s first team, including once in a Serie A match against Palermo and once in a Coppa Italia match against Cagliari, signaling the club’s faith in his potential.
The next step in his development came through a series of loan spells designed to give him regular first-team experience. He was sent out to Pistoiese, Venezia, and Cittadella in Serie B and Serie C, where he gradually increased his playing time, scored his first professional goals, and adapted to the physical demands of senior football. This pathway of loan moves proved crucial in shaping him into a complete forward ready for top-flight football.
Giacomo Vrioni Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Vrioni’s senior career began at Matelica in Italy’s Serie D, where he featured in four matches during the 2014–2015 season. Although his time there was brief, it provided him with the foundation needed to take the next step in his career. His performances attracted the attention of Sampdoria, who signed him to their youth academy in January 2015.
Over the next two and a half years, Vrioni flourished in Sampdoria’s youth ranks, registering 20 goals and 6 assists in 58 matches. He also gained exposure to first-team football by serving as an unused substitute in Serie A and Coppa Italia matches. These formative years set the stage for his transition to professional football and his subsequent loan moves.
Pistoiese and Venezia (2017–2019)
On 20 July 2017, Vrioni was sent on a season-long loan to Pistoiese in Italy’s Serie C. He made his professional debut on 17 September 2017, scoring his first professional goal in a 1–1 away draw against Pro Piacenza. On 17 December, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a 3–1 home win over Gavorrano. Vrioni finished the loan with 27 appearances, 8 goals, and 4 assists, marking him as one of the most promising young strikers in the division.
The following season, Vrioni joined Venezia on loan in Serie B, where he made 25 appearances, including 11 starts. He scored his first Serie B goal in December 2018 against Foggia and showed steady improvement throughout the campaign. Although he played only four full matches, the experience helped him adapt to the higher tempo and tactical demands of second-division football.
Juventus and WSG Tirol (2020–2022)
On 30 January 2020, Vrioni completed a permanent move to Juventus for an undisclosed fee and was assigned to their reserve team, Juventus U23, in Serie C. He made his Serie A debut on 1 August 2020, appearing as a substitute against Roma. A fibula injury in November 2020 sidelined him for five months, but he returned strongly, scoring a winning penalty against Carrarese in April 2021.
In July 2021, Vrioni was loaned to Austrian Bundesliga side WSG Tirol to gain regular playing time. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in the Austrian Cup against Leobendorf. His stint in Austria allowed him to experience a different footballing culture and further refine his skills as a forward.
New England Revolution Era (2022–2024)
On 5 July 2022, Vrioni signed a three-year deal with Major League Soccer side New England Revolution in a transfer reportedly worth close to $4 million. After a slow start marred by injury, he made his first start on 1 October 2022 and scored his first goal from the penalty spot against Atlanta United. By the 2023 season, Vrioni had fully settled into MLS life, scoring nine goals during the regular season to finish as the Revolution’s golden boot winner.
One of the highlights of his time in New England came on 26 July 2023, when he scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 victory over Atlético San Luis in the Leagues Cup, the first hat-trick in an international competition in Revolution history. He dedicated the performance to the daughter of teammate Brad Knighton, who had passed away earlier that month. He was twice named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for braces against FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United.
CF Montréal (2025)
On 7 January 2025, Vrioni was acquired by CF Montréal for $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money. He made his debut in a 1–0 loss to Charlotte FC on 12 April, and scored his first goal for the club on 30 April with a spectacular volley against Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship. He added his first MLS league goal for Montréal on 3 May against the Philadelphia Union. He was released by the club at the end of the 2025 season.
Cesena (2026–Present)
On 5 February 2026, Vrioni signed with Serie B club Cesena on a contract running until 30 June 2026, with an option to extend. The move marked his return to Italian football after spells abroad. He wears the number 22 shirt and is expected to add experience and firepower to Cesena’s attacking line as they push for promotion.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Vrioni’s most notable achievements is his hat-trick for the New England Revolution against Atlético San Luis in the 2023 Leagues Cup, the first in an international competition in club history. He also became the Revolution’s top scorer in the 2023 MLS regular season and earned multiple Team of the Matchday selections. His first professional goal for Pistoiese and his Serie A debut for Juventus remain key career milestones.
Giacomo Vrioni Career Wins
Throughout his career, Vrioni has registered notable goalscoring numbers across multiple leagues and competitions, including Serie C, Serie B, Serie A, the Austrian Bundesliga, Major League Soccer, and the Leagues Cup. His totals include double-digit goals in select seasons, with his standout campaign coming in 2023 with the New England Revolution.
Major League Soccer Highlights
Vrioni scored nine goals during the 2023 MLS regular season with the New England Revolution, finishing as the club’s golden boot winner. His first MLS goal came on 1 October 2022 against Atlanta United, and he added braces against Sporting Kansas City and Atlanta United in 2023, along with a game-winning goal against Toronto FC. His performances earned him two MLS Team of the Matchday selections.
Other Performances
At Pistoiese in 2017–18, Vrioni scored 8 goals and added 4 assists in 27 Serie C appearances, including a hat-trick against Gavorrano. During his loan at Venezia, he recorded 1 goal and 2 assists in 25 Serie B appearances. In the Austrian Cup, he scored on his debut for WSG Tirol. With CF Montréal, he netted a memorable volley in the Canadian Championship.
Giacomo Vrioni Family
Family Background and Heritage
Vrioni’s family is of Albanian origin, with roots tracing back to the historic Vrioni family of Albania. Although he was born and raised in Italy, this heritage played a decisive role in his international career. In September 2018, he chose to represent Albania at senior level, switching from Italy, where he had played at youth level.
Personal Life
Vrioni has largely kept his personal life out of the public eye. He is known for his dedication to football and his professional approach to the game. His move to Albania’s national team reflected a strong sense of identity and pride in his family’s heritage.
International Career
Vrioni began his international journey with Italy, representing the country at Under-18 and Under-19 levels. He made his Italy U-18 debut on 9 March 2016 against Switzerland, and his U-19 debut on 11 August 2016 against Croatia. He scored his first international goal on 6 September 2016 against Turkey U-19.
In September 2018, he switched allegiance to Albania, making his senior debut on 14 October 2018 in a UEFA Nations League match against Israel. Earlier that month, he had earned his first cap for the Albania U-21 side, scoring a last-minute equalizer in a friendly against Italy.
2025 Season Performance
Vrioni’s 2025 campaign began with his move to CF Montréal, where he was expected to provide firepower in attack. He made his debut in April against Charlotte FC and quickly opened his account with a stunning volley in the Canadian Championship against Toronto FC. His first MLS goal for Montréal came in early May against the Philadelphia Union.
Despite showing flashes of quality, his time at Montréal was limited, and he was released at the end of the 2025 season. He then secured a return to Italian football with Cesena in February 2026, signing a short-term deal with an option to extend, signaling a new chapter in his career back in Serie B.