THE great-grandson of dictator Benito Mussolini has completed a transfer to European giants Lazio.
Romano Floriani Mussolini, 22, had spent the season on loan at Serie B outfit Juve Stabia from .
The defender enjoyed an impressive season, making 37 appearances for Juve and helping them reach the play-offs before they were beaten in the semi-finals.
That impressive season saw the club activate the option to buy him permanently on his loan from Lazio.
However, the giants then exercised their counter-option in the deal to bring him back.
A club statement confirmed these details were agreed last season in the initial loan agreement.
It added: “The yellow-blue club thanks Romano for the professionalism, commitment and attachment to the jersey shown throughout the season.”;
Born in 2003, Mussolini spent time in the youth academy before eventually finding his way to bitter cross-town rivals Lazio.
He has repeatedly attempted to distance himself from his great-grandfather, who was the fascist ruler of before he was overthrown in 1943 and later executed in 1945, by saying he is not interested in .
When Mussolini scored his first senior professional goal just before in 2024 against Cesena, echoes of his family name haunted him.
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As the announcer read out his name following the goal, sections of the Juve fans appeared to perform fascist salutes and enthusiastic shouts of “Mussolini”;.
The Italian federation (FIGC) launched an investigation while the club issued a statement rejecting any connection between its fans and fascism.
It said: “For 117 years, the club has celebrated the goals of its team.
“When the name of the scoring player is announced, we raise our arms to the sky as a sign of the team that is in our heart and which represents the city. This was once again the case with this goal.”;
President Langella added: “We do not accept exploitation for a golden boy like Romano Floriani Mussolini.
“The same thing goes for our fans, who have cheered as they have always done in the past with any other athlete.”;
Parts of Lazio’s fanbase are known to have links to far-right groups.
In 2021, Lazio suspended Juan Bernabé, the falconer responsible for flying the club’s eagle mascot before kick-off, after he was seen cheering for Benito Mussolini.
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