Pisa, Italy – September 14: Nicolo ‘Zaniolo of Udinese Calcio during a Serie A match at Pisa SC and Arena Garibaldi at Arena Garibaldi on September 14, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo: Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Nicolo Zaniolo feels “more mature” in Udinese.
The Italian striker joins Udinese on the deadline day with his first loan agreement from Galatasaray, aiming to revive his career at Blue Energy Stadium.
“I feel good. I know I’ve made mistakes in the past, but I’m not coming back. I’m not thinking about it today. Here at Udin, along with Udinese, I feel good,” Zaniolo told repubblica.
Zaniolo: “Everyone regrets it”
“In life, I know there are steps you need to grow. The way I spoke and acted three or four years ago made me look more superficial.
“Everyone regrets it. On the other hand, if I reached this point, I think it was because I was meant to happen like this,” Zaniolo continued.
“In my career, on the other hand, I know that I’ve made a lot of mistakes due to my exposure to the excess media I received from the start. Being on the lips of an 18 year old in a city like Rome is not easy.
Zaniolo left Rome in the winter transfer window in 2023 and joined Galatasaray. He then played on loan for Aston Villa, Atalanta and Fiorentina, but not in line with expectations.
“It was not perceived from outside how much I suffered when I had to leave Rome,” he insisted.
“It was a club I love and I still had a great time there, and it was hard to say goodbye to the fans, clubs and people.
The 26-year-old made his last Italian appearance in a friendly against Ecuador in 2024, but is aiming to return to the Azzurri squad under new coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Zaniolo is aiming to return to Italy
“It’s always been my goal, and even before that, it was my dream as a child,” he said.
“It’s great to represent Italy. We’ll put that jersey on it and bring together fans of Inter, Milan, Juve, Rome and Lazio. Everyone is united with the same belief.”
Zaniolo has scored one goal in four appearances this season in all competitions with Udinese.
Bianconeri has two different options to sign him in a permanent deal at the end of the season, as he can pay 5 million euros, leaving Galatasaray with a 50% sell-on clause, or 10 million euros.
Udinese also paid 3 million euros for Zaniolo’s one-season loan.
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