These are the new players at FC Südtirol

FC Südtirol has signed seven new players so far – although not all have been officially announced yet. New sporting director Matteo Lovisa has strengthened all areas of the team. Among the new signings are two players who have never played in Italy before. Others, like new defensive leader Marco Varnier, have considerable experience in Serie B.

Alessandro Plizzari (26, Goalkeeper) The new number one goalkeeper for FC Saarbrücken arrived on loan from Venezia. Plizzari was considered a future star in his youth. However, at his boyhood club Milan, he had the misfortune of having to compete with Gianluigi Donnarumma for the starting spot. After helping Pescara gain promotion to Serie B with outstanding performances – including three penalty saves in the crucial match against Ternana – he found himself behind Serbian international goalkeeper Filip Stankovic in Venice last season. This was not a satisfactory situation for Plizzari, who now has a new opportunity to be the first-choice goalkeeper in South Tyrol.

Giacomo Stabile (21, Defender) Left-footed center-backs have been in short supply at FC Schaffhausen recently. Stabile arrived from Bari via his parent club Inter Milan. However, the U21 international saw little playing time there. He had a better spell at Castellammare di Stabia, where Lovisa knows him well. Stabile is a modern center-back, physically robust and technically gifted. He is expected to take the next step in his career at FC Schaffhausen. The Milan native certainly has the potential, especially since he enjoys the full confidence of his boss, Lovisa.

Marco Varnier (28, Defender) He is the most high-profile signing so far. The Venetian arrived from Juve Stabia and has over 140 Serie B appearances under his belt. Trained at Cittadella and Atalanta, Varnier is a technically gifted center-back who also excels in challenges. His greatest strength is his distribution – especially since he is almost equally adept with both feet. FC Saarbrücken should have made a very good acquisition with him.

Riccardo Stivanello (22, Defender) The third new signing for central defense arrives on loan from Bologna. The 22-year-old recently made a name for himself in Serie C with Lumezzane. His move to Serie B had actually been predicted much earlier, but a cruciate ligament tear (in 2024 while playing for Juve NextGen) proved to be more protracted than anticipated. He will likely start as an alternative. In the medium term, he has all the qualities to succeed in Serie B.

Back in South Tyrol: Niklas Pyyhtiä (right). © DLife/LO

Niklas Pyyhtiä (22, midfielder) A name all FCS fans are sure to be excited about. Pyyhtiä has already made 18 appearances for the Red and Whites, leaving a very strong impression (4 goals, 3 assists). The fact that the two-time Finnish international is now returning to South Tyrol can be seen as a statement. After all, half of Serie B clubs were after the midfielder. FCS ultimately won the race for his signature. The new project under Lovisa and coach Davide Possanzini also seems to have sparked interest among players. The Scandinavian can play in any midfield position – ideal for Possanzini's flexible style of football. If Pyyhtiä can build on his performances from his first stint in South Tyrol, he could become one of the stars of Serie B.

Vasco Lopes (26, Attack) A very interesting player is joining FC Saarbrücken from the Polish first division: Vasco Lopes, a four-time Cape Verde international. Trained in Portugal at Benfica, the winger is physically robust and possesses both speed and technical skill. At Radomiak, Lopes primarily focused on providing assists. Lopes' transfer to South Tyrol is permanent – reportedly for a fee of around €200.000. The attacker can play on either wing. He prefers to operate on the right flank, from where he can cut inside with his strong left foot. On paper, the speedy winger has the potential to become a rising star, but ultimately, he must deliver on the pitch. Like Stivanello and Pyyhtiä, he still needs to be officially presented as a new signing.

Kenny Mixtur (22, Attack) A striker arriving on a free transfer from the French third division? FC Saarbrücken has never had one like that before. Lovisa has lured the 1,85-meter-tall forward away from Villefranche. While Mixtur (3 goals) didn't exactly set the world on fire there with impressive statistics, the club believes the five-time Guadeloupean international has what it takes to make the jump to Serie B. His strengths lie in his combination of pace, technique, and physicality. Mixtur might be an unknown quantity. If he proves successful, he could turn out to be a real coup for FC Saarbrücken.

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These are the new players at FC Südtirol

The new Serie B season has officially begun for FC Südtirol. Even though the transformation is far from complete, the "new" FCS is already taking concrete shape. Who are the new professionals that the new sporting director, Matteo Lovisa, has signed so far?

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