Sudden Zortea swoop brings Cagliari talent to Bologna

Originally posted on Football Italia | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 9:34 AM ET

In a surprising twist, Bologna secured an agreement for Cagliari wingback Nadir Zortea and are set to buy him on a permanent basis.

A product of the prolific Atalanta youth academy , he had loan spells with Cremonese, Salernitana and Frosinone before making the €5.10m move to Cagliari last summer.

It allowed him to flourish, scoring six goals and providing two assists in 35 Serie A appearances for the Sardinians.

Zortea can make impact at Bologna

Bologna had been looking at other candidates, but our colleague Michele Criscitiello of Sportitalia discovered that they had suddenly decided to swoop for Zortea instead.

An agreement was reached quickly and he should be working with coach Vincenzo Italiano this term.

Playing primarily on the right flank, but also capable on the left, the 26-year-old could be the right replacement for Dan Ndoye, who was sold to Nottingham Forest at a huge profit.

He is just as capable of dropping deeper as a right-back in Italiano’s 4-3-3 formation.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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