Nicolas Giani: ex-Inter Milan defender dies aged 39 as tributes from former clubs pour in | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, former Inter Milan defender Nicolas Giani has died aged 39 after being diagnosed with an incurable illness.

Giani came through Inter’s academy and retired in 2022, reportedly following his diagnosis.

Born in Como, he did not make a senior appearance for Inter, spending the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons on loan before leaving permanently.

He later played for Cremonese, Vicenza and Spezia, but is best remembered at SPAL, where he captained the side and made more than 100 appearances after joining in 2014.

He helped SPAL win promotion from Serie C in 2015/16, then led them to the Serie B title the following year, sealing back-to-back promotions and a first return to Serie A in 49 years.

Inter, Spezia and Vicenza were among the clubs to offer condolences. Giani represented Italy at youth level during his career but did not win a senior cap.

Source: Sunderland Echo