Mattia Viti (born 24 January 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for club Sampdoria on loan from club Nice.
Born in Borgo San Lorenzo, in the province of Florence, Mattia Viti already played football at the age of 4, with the club of Ponte a GreveâÂÂthat would later merge with Rondinella MarzoccoâÂÂin the Tuscan capital. Having moved to the nearby Audace Legnaia, he joined the Empoli academy as an 8-year-old, in 2010.
After a full 2019âÂÂ20 season with the Primavera, Viti made his professional debut on the 30 September 2020, starting a 2âÂÂ1 Coppa Italia win against Renate. He played his first Serie B game with Empoli on the 9 April 2021, replacing Nedim Bajrami in a 1âÂÂ0 away win to Reggina, already proving to be decisive with a late minute goal line clearance. His side eventually won the championship, making their come-back in Italy's top flight, while the Primavera squad also won their championship.
On 22 September 2021 he made his Serie A debut in a 2âÂÂ0 away victory against Cagliari, with Aurelio Andreazzoli making him start and finish the game, as the youngster proved to be instrumental in keeping a clean sheet for the Azzurri.
During the following monthsâÂÂdespite having to face the loss of his mother in November 2021âÂÂhe became a regular with the first team, alternating with Sebastiano Luperto or the veterans Tonelli and Romagnoli. He was a starter for several important Serie A wins, against the likes of Bologna, Sassuolo or Udinese, appearing as one of the Italian championship most promising young defenders.
On 3 August 2022, Viti joined Ligue 1 side Nice on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of â¬13 million. Later that year, on 9 October, he scored his first goal in a 3âÂÂ2 victory over Troyes.
On 12 July 2023, Serie A side Sassuolo announced the signing of Viti on a season-long loan with a future option to buy. On 26 May 2024, he netted his first Serie A goal in a 1âÂÂ1 away draw against Lazio on the final matchday of the season.
On 22 July 2024, Viti returned to Empoli, signing on loan until the end of the 2024âÂÂ25 season, with an option to make the deal permanent.
On 1 July 2025, Viti joined Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy.
On 17 January 2026, Viti moved on a new loan to Sampdoria in Serie B.
Viti is a youth international for Italy, having played at under-15, under-16 and under-18 levels.
In September 2021, he was selected with the under-20, making his debut during a 1âÂÂ0 away friendly win against Serbia on the 6 September and becoming a regular starter for the team in November, before being promoted to the under-21 side, where he was however forced to withdraw due to injury.
A left-footed centre-back who is 1.90m and 84kg, he is seen as a technically gifted defender, able to launch offensive movements from the back, who doesn't hesitate to take risks and dribble to move froward.
Very soon compared to former Empoli star Daniele Rugani, his profile is often associated with the one of Alessandro Bastoni. He cites Sergio Ramos and Paolo Maldini as his main inspirations as a player.
Empoli