Gianluca Lapadula joins Universitario de Deportes in Peru

Italian‑Peruvian striker Gianluca Lapadula arrived in Lima on Friday and was taken to the club’s headquarters in San Isidro, where he will be presented as the newest signing of Universitario de Deportes. The transfer comes from Italy’s Spezia Calcio following the club’s relegation to Serie B.

Club officials confirmed Lapadula as the “refuerzo del año,” noting that additional signings are expected but details remain confidential. An unofficial estimate disclosed on a sports program suggested a salary of about $70,000, a figure that would make the contract one of the most lucrative in Peruvian football, though the club has not verified the amount.