Who is Luca Koleosho, Paris FC’s Italian recruit with four passports? | OneFootball

Luca Koleosho, 21, has joined Paris FC on loan from Burnley until the end of the season, and is already prominent with Italy’s youth sides. His club career has yet to truly take off, but his international trajectory is gathering pace.

He came on in the 61st minute in Monday’s 1-0 win over Paris-SG in the Coupe de France last 32. According to L'Équipe, he remains under contract at Burnley until 2029.

Born in Connecticut, he holds US, Canadian, Italian and Nigerian passports. He played for USA Under-15s and was called up by Canada’s seniors at 17 without debuting, but has currently aligned with Italy, homeland of his maternal grandparents who emigrated to Montreal. The FIGC identified him through Club Italia.

He first wore Italy colours in March 2023, then four months later won the European Under-19 title, weeks after his first professional goal in La Liga with Espanyol. After two low-key seasons at Burnley, his dribbling drew notice again at last summer’s Euro Under-21. He has 3 goals and one assist in 45 Burnley appearances.

He subsequently had a brief, unconvincing return to Espanyol before joining Paris FC on loan. In Italy he is used as a left winger in a 4-3-3, while Burnley often deployed him on the right.

Silvio Baldini, Italy’s Under-21 coach, views him as technically strong, very quick and tactically alert without the ball, though less effective in the air at 1.75 m. He describes a reserved character learning Italian in camp, diligent in training yet occasionally impatient after errors. Baldini believes he is too often judged by an extravagant look and considers it impossible that he will not play in a top league.

Source: L'Équipe