Some faces are simply unforgettable, especially when you`ve witnessed their growth every step of the way. Federico Bonini, a defender born in 2001, is one such individual. Currently playing in Spain for Almeria, Bonini has been closely followed by La Giovane Italia since his initial foray into professional football, featuring in two editions of our Almanac.
His journey began in 2019 when, at just 17 years old, Bonini, then a young talent at Entella, made his senior debut as a starter in the Coppa Italia Serie C against Carrarese. This marked a crucial first step, which gained further momentum later that year. On October 5, 2019, he debuted in Serie B, again with Entella, facing Crotone. He concluded that initial part of the season with two more appearances against Cosenza and Pordenone, gaining invaluable minutes for a player of immense promise.
In January 2020, Bologna recognized his potential and secured him on loan. It was with the Rossoblù that Bonini fulfilled his dream of making his Serie A debut. Following the pandemic-induced hiatus, then-coach Sinisa Mihajlovic introduced him into the match against Fiorentina, substituting him for captain Danilo in the final minutes. This moment underscored a developmental path that had already demonstrated his solid progress.
In the years that followed, Bonini continued to gain experience. He returned to Entella for a full season in Serie B, then established himself in Serie C with Gubbio for two seasons. After another stint in Chiavari, he took on a new challenge with Catanzaro, contributing to their impressive run to the playoff semi-finals. Last summer, Almeria came calling, and Bonini embraced the opportunity without hesitation: a new adventure, his first abroad, in a competitive and stimulating league like the Spanish La Liga.
His career is defined by constant growth, brave choices, and unwavering determination. We will continue to follow his journey closely, as we always have, wishing him the very best for the remainder of the season and for a career that, we are certain, still has much more to unfold.
