As Leeds United prepare for another season back in the Premier League, one name emerging on their radar is Riccardo Sottil — a technically gifted Italian winger with experience at the highest levels of Italian football. But who exactly is Sottil, and what could he bring to Elland Road?
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on June 3, 1999, in Turin, Riccardo Sottil grew up immersed in football. His father, Andrea Sottil, was a Serie A defender and now works as a coach. The younger Sottil began his footballing journey in the youth academies of Genoa and Torino before eventually joining Fiorentina in 2016. It was in Florence that he made the leap into professional football, debuting for the senior team in Serie A in 2018.
Club Career and Development
Sottil’s time at Fiorentina has been a mix of steady development and valuable loan experiences. Over the years, he accumulated over 100 appearances for La Viola, contributing in both domestic and European competitions.
In 2019, he was loaned to Serie B side Pescara, where he began to show glimpses of his attacking flair. A more impactful loan spell came in the 2020–21 season with Cagliari, where he made 21 Serie A appearances and scored twice. During that stint, Sottil drew praise for his dribbling ability and directness, registering an impressive dribble success rate and often tormenting defenders on the flank.
In February 2025, Sottil secured a move to AC Milan on loan with an option to buy. Though he only made a handful of appearances during the latter half of the 2024–25 season, his presence in a squad of Milan’s calibre underscored his potential.
🇪🇺 Top 7 League Wingers: Progressive action rate
— DataMB (@DataMB_) July 29, 2025
◉ 50.00 — Bryan Zaragoza
◎ 44.70 — Moses Simon
◎ 44.17 — Riccardo Sottil
◎ 44.16 — Léo Scienza
◎ 43.92 — Raúl Moro
Bryan Zaragoza makes a progressive action (run or pass) on 50% of his possessions ⚡️
📊 Free trial:… pic.twitter.com/WThiBT9x3d
Playing Style and Strengths
Sottil is best known for his work as a left winger, though he’s also capable of playing on the right or as a second striker. His style is characterized by quick acceleration, close control, and a willingness to take on defenders one-on-one. A natural right-footer, he often cuts inside from the left flank to shoot or create space for overlapping fullbacks.
His strongest attributes include:
- Dribbling and ball progression: One of the most consistent aspects of his game, he thrives in advancing the ball through crowded areas.
- Technical skill: Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he combines flair with intelligent movement.
- Versatility: Has played across the front line, adding tactical flexibility.
However, one knock on his game has been his end product. While dangerous in build-up play, Sottil has yet to consistently deliver high goal or assist tallies — something that potential suitors like Leeds would be keen to develop.
Riccardo Sottil last 17 dribbles:
— Inside Milan (@_InsideMilan) February 4, 2025
(🎥: @ultrasfctv on tiktok) pic.twitter.com/75c62Xr8ub
International Pedigree
Sottil has represented Italy at every youth level, from U18 through U21. Between 2019 and 2021, he earned 12 caps and scored three goals for the U21s. Though he hasn’t yet made a senior appearance, he was invited to a national team training camp by then-manager Roberto Mancini in 2022 — a clear sign of his growing profile.
Final Thoughts
Riccardo Sottil isn’t a household name in England — yet. But he brings a profile that aligns well with Leeds United’s current needs: pace, creativity, and a ceiling still to be reached. With the right coaching and environment, he could become a valuable asset at Elland Road.
