Lecce and Empoli finalize youth player transfers

Italian Serie A club Lecce is near completing a loan deal with an option to buy for 2007-born midfielder Walid El Bouradi from Al‑Ain. The club has also signed two Primavera players: defender Cristiano Palamarchuk, a 2007‑born dual Portuguese‑Russian passport holder arriving from Sporting Lisbon, and midfielder Leopoldo Vitale, a 2008‑born talent from Potenza.

Empoli’s 2004‑born midfielder Lorenzo Ignacchiti is close to a permanent move to Serie C side Mantova, with the transfer reportedly valued at about €1.5 million after limited first‑team opportunities and a total of 21 appearances for Empoli.