Report: Fiorentina interested in Empoli’s Pietro Terracciano

As Fiorentina’s uncertain goalkeeping situation drags on, a familiar name has popped up. According to Gianluca di Marzio, Empoli goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano is one of Viola management’s new choices for a backup to Bartłomiej Drągowski should the young Pole eschew offers from England and take over the number one role in Florence. Terracciano, of course, spent the second half of last season as Alban Lafont’s backup with Fiorentina after swapping clubs as part of the loan deal that saw Drągowski break through in Serie A.

Terracciano is just about the definition of a journeyman. At 29 years old, he’s already played for 7 different clubs and has made just 12 Serie A appearances. Despite that somewhat underwhelming resume, though, he was rock solid in his two appearances in relief of Lafont last year, earning a man-of-the-match award from us for his outstanding work against Lazio. He’s not super athletic or anything, but he puts himself in the right spot and happily punches everything away that comes near him.

You’d think he’s a perfect understudy to a younger goalkeeper and would be fine starting Coppa Italia matches to stay fit. After Drągowski’s representatives reportedly nixed Fiorentina’s negotiations for Emiliano Viviano on the grounds that Bart wants to be assured of the starting role next year, Terracciano seems the type of steady, unassuming veteran who’d fill that job without breaking the bank. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.