Antonio Arena
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 10 February 2009 | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Pescara | ||
| Number | 40 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| M&U Football Academy | |||
| Western Sydney Wanderers | |||
| 2022–2025 | Pescara | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Pescara | 4 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024 | Australia U16 | 1 | (0) |
| 2025– | Italy U16 | 2 | (1) |
| 2025– | Italy U17 | 4 | (1) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 April 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 May 2025 | |||
Antonio Arena (born 10 February 2009) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie C club Pescara in Italy. Born in Australia, he is a youth international for both Australia and Italy.
Career
Arena is a youth product of the Australians clubs M&U Football Academy and Western Sydney Wanderers, before moving to Pescara in 2022 to finish his development.[2] On 15 February 2025, he signed his first professional contract until 2028.[3] He made his senior and professional debut with Pescara in a 4–1 Serie C win over Lucchese, and scored his side's fourth goal. At 16 years and 25 days old, he became the first 2009-born player to score in professional football in Italy, and also the youngest ever goalscorer for Pescara beating the record of Marco Verratti.[4]
International career
Born in Australia, Arena is of Italian descent through his grandparents from Reggio Calabria.[5] He holds dual Australian-Italian citizenship.[4] He debuted with the Australia U16s in a friendly 4–3 win over the Switzerland U16s on 16 April 2024.[6] In January 2025, he was called up to the Italy U16s for a set of friendlies.[2]
References
- ^ "L'Entella vola a +7. Pescara, 4-1 alla Lucchese: esordio e gol per il 2009 Antonio Arena". La Gazzetta dello Sport.
- ^ a b "Pescara Calcio, in rampa di lancio c'è il 16enne Antonio Arena". IlPescara.
- ^ "Pescara, il giovane Antonio Arena ha firmato il suo primo contratto da professionista - TUTTO mercato WEB". www.tuttomercatoweb.com.
- ^ a b https://www.eurosport.it/calcio/serie-c-girone-b/2024-2025/antonio-arena-da-record-a-16-anni-e-il-primo-2009-a-segnare-tra-i-professionisti-nel-4-1-del-pescara-alla-lucchese_sto20134561/story.shtml
- ^ "Antonio Arena, il centravanti dei record cresciuto a Sydney: "Onorato di giocare per l'Italia" - FIGC". www.figc.it.
- ^ "Subway Joeys seal 4-3 friendly win over Switzerland U-16 | Socceroos". www.socceroos.com.au. 11 April 2024.