Gianluca Lapadula is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Lecce, on loan from Genoa.
Early life
Lapadula was born in Turin, to an Italian father from the region of Apulia and a Peruvian mother. He has a brother named David who was also a forward, in the lower amateur leagues. He is nicknamed Lapagol, due to his goalscoring prowess, and Sir William for his strong temperament.
Club career
Early career
Lapadula began his career with Juventus before releasing in 2004 because he was not doing well in his studies. After that he moved to Collegno Paradiso, then left on loan to Treviso in 2006. He returned to Piedmont for Serie C2 side Pro Vercelli on 31 August 2007. He was a player of the reserve. In 2008–09 season, he left for Lega Pro Seconda Divisione side Ivrea, and was selected to the Lega Pro 2nd Div. A representative team for Lega Pro Quadrangular Tournament and scored a goal against 2nd Div. C representative team in the third place match. Eventually, Group A finished as the third. In August 2009 he was signed by Parma and spent one season with their Primavera team. In July 2010 left for Atletico Roma.
Lapadula made his debut for Atletico Roma on 8 August 2010, in the Coppa Italia preliminary round, lost in extra time. In January 2011, he left for Ravenna. He concluded the 2011–12 season as the topscorer in Group A with 24 goals. On 15 June 2012, Lapadula joined Serie B club Cesena in co-ownership, signing a five-year contract. Lapadula failed to play regularly for Cesena, and on 8 January 2013 he was signed by Frosinone. In July 2013 the co-ownership between Cesena and Parma was resolved, and Lapadula returned to Parma.
After the bankruptcy of Parma Lapadula was released on a free transfer, and in July 2015 he was signed by Pescara in Serie B on a four-year contract. In the 2015–16 season he scored 30 goals in 43 appearances, without scoring any penalties, earning the honour of top scorer in the Italian second division.
Milan
On 24 June 2016, Lapadula passed his medical test with A.C. Milan, who reportedly paid Pescara €9 million plus bonus for the transfer, while the player signed a five-year deal. He made his debut for Milan on 27 August 2016, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute during a 4–2 loss away against Napoli in Serie A. He scored his first goal for Milan and in Serie A on 6 November 2016 in the 2–1 away victory against Palermo, three minutes after coming on as a substitute for Carlos Bacca. On 26 November, Lapadula scored his first brace in Serie A in a 1–4 away victory against Empoli. He finished the 2016–17 season with 8 goals in 27 games, two of which were scored from a penalty spot.
Genoa
On 18 July 2017, Lapadula moved to Genoa, on a one-season loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. The total transfer fee was €13 million which was Genoa's most expensive signing of all-time.
Loan to Lecce
On 12 July 2019, he was loaned to Serie A newcomers Lecce.
A dynamic forward, Lapadula is a tenacious and physically strong striker, who stands out for his temperament; due to his versatility, he can play as a centre-forward, and can also adapt to more creative roles, as a second striker, or winger on either flank, courtesy of his ability to both score and assist goals. An uncommonly accurate and powerful finisher, he also has a strong left foot, and an eye for goal.
