OFFICIAL: Bangu loaned to Vicenza after extending contract

Andy Bangu is one of my favorite young Fiorentina players, in large part because he’s a very good footballer. Pantaleo Corvino has reinforced my opinion by signing the 19-year-old midfielder to a contract extension that will keep him on the Viola books until 2021, and immediately loaned him to Vicenza for the season.

It’s a slight letdown, as I thought that Bangu was ready to test himself in Serie B after piling up 6 goals in 35 appearances for Reggina last season, but management has opted to bring him along slowly instead. On the bright side, Vicenza were relegated from Serie B last year and so should spend the year in a promotion battle, which will give Andy some high-stakes playing time. And he should play quite a bit, as he’s already far and away the best option in central midfield for the Berici.

Bangu is a powerful little midfield dynamo who delights in taking on defenders in the center of the pitch, skipping past a challenge, and exposing the opposing backline. He’s also got a knack for slipping into gaps between and behind a defense to score; he netted 19 in 62 appearances with the Primavera. He’s a dynamic, exciting player already, and should spend this season working on his reading of the game before coming back to challenge for a spot next year at Moena. He’s got all the ability in the world, so we’ll be keeping a weather eye on him.