Uganda Cranes defender Elio Capradossi has signed a short-term contract with Italian Serie B club AC Cittadella, marking his return to professional football.
The composed center-back, known for his defensive poise, will play for the club until the end of the season.
Capradossi, 27, has been without a club since leaving Serie C side AC Lecco earlier this year. Despite his talent and experience, his lack of club activity led Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put to omit him from recent matches against South Africa and Congo.
However, his impressive debut for Uganda in July 2024 against Botswana proved his capabilities at the international level.
Born on March 11, 1996, in Kampala, Uganda, Capradossi’s heritage is as diverse as his football journey. His father, Corrado Capradossi, is Italian, while his mother hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This background made him eligible to represent three nations—Italy, Uganda, and DR Congo—before ultimately choosing to play for the Uganda Cranes.
Capradossi began his career in 2010 in the AS Romaacademy, where he progressed steadily. He made his senior debut for Roma in 2015 but managed only two appearances before being loaned to Italian sides Bari and later Spezia, where he began to shine.
After impressing with 20 appearances and three goals at Spezia, the club secured his services permanently in 2019. Over the next few years, he made 33 more appearances and scored two additional goals.
Capradossi also had a loan stint with SPAL in the 2021–2022 season before joining Cagliari in 2022.
His promising career was briefly derailed by a severe injury when he ruptured his left ACL while on international duty with Italy’s U20 team. The setback led to a series of loan moves, but Capradossi’s determination has seen him fight his way back into competitive football.
Capradossi’s move to AC Cittadella offers him a fresh opportunity to showcase his skills in Italy’s competitive Serie B. Standing at 1.85 meters tall, his physical presence and experience will undoubtedly bolster the team’s defensive options as they push for success this season. As he embarks on this new chapter, Uganda Cranes fans will hope that consistent club performances will see him solidify his place in the national team setup under Paul Put.
