At a historic moment for football in the United States, with unprecedented growth, the arrival of Lionel Messi, and the country on the verge of hosting the FIFA World Cup, Claudio Repetto, an Italian talent who grew up in the youth sector of Genoa CFC, is living his ‘American dream’.
It’s a story that sounds almost like a movie: a young Italian footballer who, after playing for years in the youth sector of Genoa CFC, and after playing a few seasons in Serie D, decides to leave Italy to embark on an adventure in the United States. But this is the reality of Claudio Repetto, a forward born in 1997, who realised his dream of becoming a professional footballer thanks to the USA College Sport agency and sports scholarships offered by American colleges.
Career in Italy
Let’s start at the beginning. After his youth academy career with Genoa, Claudio went on loan in Serie D first to Rapallo Bogliasco and then to Sestri Levante and Lavagnese. At the age of 19, Claudio found himself at a crossroads: continue university, or bet everything on football without any guarantee of being able to play in the pros?
The role of USA College Sport
This is where the USA College Sport agency came in, offering him an alternative and less traditional path: leaving Italy and moving overseas to play football at an American college.
Initially sceptical about the idea, Claudio decided to sign with USA College Sport in 2017. Not only would he have the opportunity to continue his career in football, but he would also be able to pursue a degree, an opportunity he would not have had in Europe. This decision would change his life forever.
Landing in American college football
Repetto’s first stop in America was Grand View University, a university located in Des Moines, Iowa. Despite initial difficulties related to language and climate, the Genovese footballer was able to make a name for himself. During his two seasons with the Vikings, he scored 18 goals and provided nine assists, performances that allowed him to prove himself.
The move to NCAA D1
His talent did not go unnoticed and, thanks to the brokering of USA College Sport, Repetto was able to make the jump to NCAA Division I, the top league in the American college leagues, moving to Coastal Carolina University. Here, he continued to shine, scoring seven goals per season and winning two consecutive (Sun Belt Conference) championships, making Coastal Carolina qualify for the National Championship in 2019 and 2020.
The jump to the pros
His performances brought him to the attention of Mike Anhaeuser, coach of the Charleston Battery, a USL Championship team, who signed him in 2021, making him sign his first professional contract! From that moment on, Repetto’s career took off.
Repetto became a mainstay for Charleston Battery, scoring nine goals and three assists in 24 appearances. These performances earned him the Offensive Player of the year award in 2021.
But his rise did not stop there. After an excellent season with Charleston Battery, the talented Genovese was noticed by Phoenix Rising FC. On 12 February 2022, Claudio Repetto arrived in Phoenix, signing a contract with the Rising. He carved out his space in the Arizona club’s attack, becoming a key forward.
Arrival at Miami FC
After wearing the Phoenix Rising FC jersey, Claudio Repetto is ready to conquer Miami FC. In September 2022, Repetto moved to Miami FC, Miami’s first professional team, where he had the opportunity to share the dressing room with an old acquaintance of Italian football: Luca Antonelli, former AC Milan and Genoa defender.
This season (2023), Repetto has already proven that he can be a key player for the Florida team. His physical strength, speed and accuracy under goal are valuable characteristics that Repetto has brought with him to this new experience. Repetto is determined to help Miami FC achieve success with what he does best: scoring goals. ‘At the individual level, I want to help the team with as many goals and assists as possible,’ Repetto said. ‘But the team always comes first. Our goal is to reach the playoffs.’
The Miami experience represents a new challenge, an opportunity to continue to grow and show his value especially after the arrival of Lionel Messi who has put Miami and American Football in the world spotlight.
Reflecting on his unique journey, Repetto says without regret: ‘If I had to go back, I would do the same thing. Repetto’s story is a prime example of how the path to professional football can be tortuous and unpredictable. Initially wary of leaving his home country to study and play abroad, Repetto made the most of the opportunities that came his way, turning a dream into a tangible reality. Today, with his characteristic tenacity and determination, Claudio Repetto is a real reference point for all young footballers who dream of a future in professional football.
