Gianluca Lapadula

Gianluca Lapadula Vargas (born 7 February 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie B club Spezia. Born in Italy, he represents Peru at international level.

In a journeyman club career, Lapadula has made over 100 appearances in both Serie A and Serie B, representing Milan, Genoa, Lecce, Benevento and Cagliari in the former. He was the top scorer in Serie B for Pescara in 2015–16 and Cagliari in 2022–23.

Having previously been called up by Italy, Lapadula made his debut for Peru in 2020 and represented the country at the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, helping them to fourth place in the former.

Early life

Lapadula was born in Turin in Piedmont, Italy on 7 February 1990, to an Italian father from Apulia, Gianfranco Lapadula, and a Peruvian mother, Blanca Aida Vargas Higinio. He has a brother named Davide, who was also a forward in the lower amateur leagues.

Lapadula is nicknamed Lapagol in Italy, and El Bambino in Peru.

Club career

Early career

Lapadula began his career with Juventus before being released 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 played for the reserve team. In the 2008–09 season, he left for Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (ex–Serie C2) 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 third. In August 2009 he was signed by Parma and spent one season with their Primavera team. In July 2010, he left for Atletico Roma.