Luciano Valente (born 4 October 2003) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club Feyenoord and the Netherlands national team.
Born in Groningen, Valente started playing football at local club GVAV-Rapiditas, before joining Groningen's youth sector in 2014. He subsequently came through the club's ranks, winning a national under-17 championship in 2019 in the process. In July 2021, he signed his first professional contract with Groningen and started training with the first team.
On 14 August 2022, Valente made his professional debut for Groningen, coming in as a substitute for Laros Duarte in the 79th minute of the Eredivisie match against Ajax, which ended in a 6âÂÂ1 defeat for his side. On 8 September 2023, the midfielder extended his contract with the club until 2026, with an option for another season. Groningen eventually finished bottom of the Eredivisie that season, ending their 23-year stay in the league.
On 29 October 2023, Valente scored his first professional goal, during a 2âÂÂ1 defeat to Cambuur in the Eerste Divisie. On 8 December 2023, he scored his first brace in a 2âÂÂ0 league win over Telstar. Groningen promoted back to the Eredivisie that season, finishing as runners-up to Willem II. Valente scored his first Eredivisie goal on 22 September 2024, during a 2âÂÂ1 derby defeat to Heerenveen. On 14 May 2025, in what turned out to be his final game for Groningen, Valente was sent off with a red card for the first time, during a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Ajax.
On 2 July 2025, Valente signed a four-year contract at Feyenoord, which paid a reported fee of around ⬠7 million for him to Groningen. At Feyenoord, he would play with squad number 40. He made his debut on 6 August 2025, replacing Quinten Timber in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, which was also his first appearance in international club competition. Three days later, Valente made his Eredivisie debut for Feyenoord as a starter against NAC Breda (2âÂÂ0 win). On 26 October 2025, he scored his first Feyenoord goal. However, Feyenoord lost 2âÂÂ3 to PSV Eindhoven. Following the departure of Cyle Larin, Valente's squad number was changed to 10 on 6 February 2026.
Being born from an Italian father and a Dutch mother, Valente has been able to choose to represent either countries internationally. He went on to represent the former country at various youth international levels, having featured for the Italian under-19 and under-20 national teams. However, he was called up for the Netherlands under-21 team for the first time on 17 March 2025. On 21 March 2025, Valente made his debut for the Netherlands under-21 team in a friendly away against Italy. Four days later, he scored his first goal for the team in a friendly 0âÂÂ2 win over Romania.
On 30 May 2025, Valente was called up for the Dutch squad for the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia by head coach Michael Reiziger, as a replacement for the injured Dirk Proper. At the tournament, Valente appeared in all games and scored in the group games against Finland (2âÂÂ2) and Ukraine (2âÂÂ0 win), before the Netherlands were knocked out by England in the semi-finals.
On 7 November 2025, Valente was called up for the Netherlands national team for the first time by head coach Ronald Koeman, for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania, debuting against the latter.
Valente is an attacking midfielder, who can also play in several positions through the middle. He has been praised for his strength and his positioning, as well as his ability to create chances, either for himself or his team-mates.
Valente's father, Roberto, is Italian and works at a local pizzeria in Haren.