Italian side Pisa have secured the signature of former Croatian underage International Adrian Semper from recently promoted Como.
The former Dinamo Zagreb man had spent the 23/24 campaign with Como. After making 91 saves and keeping 12 clean sheets, Semper was vital in the Italian outfit’s bid to secure promotion.
Semper did not miss a league game for Como last season, appearing in all 38 matches. His consistency caught the eye of Serie B middleweight Pisa, another side aiming to gain promotion to the top Italian flight. According to Transfermarkt, Pisa spent €2,5 million on the goalkeeper.
On the club’s official website, Pisa said,’ Pisa Sporting Club is pleased to announce the positive outcome of the negotiations with Società Como 1907 for the definitive acquisition of the rights to the sports performances of the footballer Adrian Semper who from today becomes part of the Nerazzurra family.’
Semper came through the youth setup at Dinamo Zagreb, and appeared a total of nine times for their B team. Whilst progressing through the ranks at Zagreb, the goalkeeper caught the eye of the eye of the Croatian underage sides.
The 26-year-old put on Croatian red and white 33 times at youth level, and also represented his nation in the U21 2021 Euros. During the tournament, he played all of Croatia’s group matches, as the Vatreni qualified for the knockouts in second place, putting Switzerland and England to the sword. Croatia’s success in this group was a giant upset, as their 91st-minute goal against an England team that included Chelsea midfielder Connor Gallagher saw them progress on goal difference.
Semper was a protagonist in Croatia’s victories, and was one year later called up to the men’s national team, but he failed to make a cap whilst with the squad.
Three seasons on from the tournament, Semper has represented a variety of clubs. Before being loaned to Chievo Verona, he spent two years on loan at NK Lokomotiva, playing first division Croatian football. In the summer of 2018, the 26-year-old made the temporary move to to Chievo Verona for the season. He only made seven appearances for the Serie A side, but the loan was made permanent ahead of the 19/20 season. Before the club folded in 2021, Semper played 74 times for the Italian outfit in Serie B.
After the dissolvement of Chievo Verona, the goalkeeper penned a three-year-deal at Serie A side Genoa. His time at Grifone was unsuccessful however, as he was mainly backup behind veteran Salvatore Sirigu. His one appearance in the league that campaign came in the final match of the season, a game that Genoa lost 1-0 to Bologna.
Even after relegation into Serie B, Genoa still persisted to only sparsely play Semper. The Italian side were promoted back to Serie A at the first attempt, but the goalkeeper signed for Serie B outfit Como for £1.2million ahead of the 2023/24 term.
Site Opinion
Semper’s campaign at Como was arguably the most successful of his career, playing all 38 games in the Serie B season. Following Como’s promotion to Serie A, they have strengthened in the goalkeeping department. The signing of Pepe Reina a few weeks ago probably was the cue to Semper that he wasn’t going to be their first choice goalkeeper ahead of the 24/25 campaign. Therefore, a move to a club which will provide him with regular minutes was likely on the cards ever since the acquisition of Reina.
Pisa will provide the Croatian goalkeeper just that. The Serie B outfit finished mid-table last season, and will look to make the next step in the upcoming campaign. The safe hands of Semper could help them carry that out.
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