# Marco Palestra
**Marco Palestra** (born 2005 in Buccinasco, Italy) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a right-back or right wing-back for Chelsea in the Premier League. He joined Chelsea on a permanent transfer from Atalanta on 1 July 2026 for a reported €55 million including add-ons, on a contract running to 2033, as the first signing of head coach [Xabi Alonso](https://www.edgepedia.org/xabi-alonso).[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) • [2](https://en.atalanta.it/news/marco-palestra-joins-chelsea?appview=true)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2005, Buccinasco, Italy[3](https://www.laliga.com/en-ES/player/marco-palestra) |
| Physique | 186 cm, 80 kg; preferred foot right[3](https://www.laliga.com/en-ES/player/marco-palestra) • [4](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/marco-palestra-scout-report) |
| Position | Defender: right-back and right wing-back, able to play on either flank[3](https://www.laliga.com/en-ES/player/marco-palestra) • [1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) |
| Breakout season | On loan at Cagliari in 2025/26: 37 Serie A appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists; named Serie A Defender of the Year[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) • [5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) |
| Speed | Serie A Speed Award 2025/26 for the highest average top speed in the league, 27.96 km/h[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) |
| Italy | Senior debut March 2026 against Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying play-off; two senior caps[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) • [1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) |
| Chelsea transfer | 1 July 2026, permanent from Atalanta, fee €55 million including variables per AS; contract to 2033[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) • [2](https://en.atalanta.it/news/marco-palestra-joins-chelsea?appview=true) |
## Origins and youth career
Palestra grew up on the outskirts of Milan and started playing football at about five and a half years of age at GS Assago, where his first coach, Luigi Pasqualone, recalled him as an ambidextrous child who could already hold on to apparently unreachable passes.[6](https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_25/alle-origini-di-marco-palestra-il-talento-milanese-al-chelsea-tutto-comincio-ad-assago-era-gia-veloce-come-il-vento-bdc5988d-9ef5-4a78-bc09-8d31dd6c0xlk_amp.shtml) He spent time in the [Inter Milan](https://www.edgepedia.org/inter-milan) academy path before Inter passed on signing him at age ten; he has been in Atalanta's academy ever since.[4](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/marco-palestra-scout-report) Atalanta's own announcement states that he joined the Nerazzurri Academy at age ten and progressed through the club's youth ranks, the Under-23 side, and then the First Team.[2](https://en.atalanta.it/news/marco-palestra-joins-chelsea?appview=true)
His early position was not in defense. He began as a central midfielder, then moved out to the wing, and was converted into a full-back during his time in Atalanta's youth system, featuring naturally on either side.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra)
## Atalanta first team
Palestra made his senior debut for Atalanta in December 2023 in that season's [UEFA Europa League](https://www.edgepedia.org/uefa-europa-league), in which his game time was limited.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) He was part of the Atalanta squad that won the 2023/24 Europa League, beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final in Dublin.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra)
In November 2024 he made his Champions League debut in a 6-1 win over [BSC Young Boys](https://www.edgepedia.org/bsc-young-boys), and played 64 minutes across three games in the 2024/25 competition; he also appeared as a late second-half substitute in the 2024 [UEFA Super Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/uefa-super-cup) against Real Madrid.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) Regular minutes remained hard to find, and he made 15 appearances for Atalanta during the 2024/25 season.[7](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/marco-palestra-chelsea-fulfils-dream-repays-childhood-sacrifices)
## The Cagliari loan and 2025/26 breakout
Palestra moved to Cagliari on a season-long loan in the summer of 2025, a step he later described as having changed his life.[4](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/marco-palestra-scout-report) • [7](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/marco-palestra-chelsea-fulfils-dream-repays-childhood-sacrifices) He became a near-ever-present in [Serie A](https://www.edgepedia.org/serie-a), playing 37 matches and scoring once against Fiorentina, his first Serie A goal, with four assists.[6](https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_25/alle-origini-di-marco-palestra-il-talento-milanese-al-chelsea-tutto-comincio-ad-assago-era-gia-veloce-come-il-vento-bdc5988d-9ef5-4a78-bc09-8d31dd6c0xlk_amp.shtml) • [1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) Across his Atalanta and Cagliari spells he has made 46 Serie A appearances in total, 37 of them with Cagliari.[8](https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/bloggar/sillyseason/a/BxkQkv/klart-chelsea-varvar-italiensk-stjarnback)
The season made him an award winner. At the Italian league's end-of-season awards he was named Serie A Defender of the Year for 2025/26, and he also received the league's Speed Award for recording the highest average top speed across the campaign, 27.96 km/h, ahead of Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund at 27.92 km/h and Fiorentina's Dodo at 27.77 km/h.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) His attacking numbers were unusual for a defender: he ranked third in Serie A in both attempted dribbles (118) and successful dribbles (81), no defender across Europe's top five leagues completed more dribbles, and he recorded 67 touches in the opposition box, the fifth-most in Serie A.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra)
The form attracted interest from Inter Milan, Juventus, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and others, with Atalanta valuing the player at around £50 million.[9](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/marco-palestra-scout-report-cagliari-2025-2026-analysis-tactics) • [10](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/transfer/newcastle-united-give-strongest-indication-of-a-tino-livramento-sale-with-replacement-lined-up-report)
## Italy international
Palestra was capped at every Italy youth level from the Under-18s up, including Euro qualification campaigns with the Under-19 and Under-21 sides.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) He made his senior debut in March 2026 against [Northern Ireland](https://www.edgepedia.org/northern-ireland) in the World Cup qualifying play-off round and also took part in the play-off final against [Bosnia and Herzegovina](https://www.edgepedia.org/bosnia-and-herzegovina), in which Italy missed out on a place at that summer's World Cup; AS counts two senior caps.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) • [1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/)
## Move to Chelsea
Chelsea announced the permanent transfer on 1 July 2026. AS reported the fee as €55 million between fixed and variables, bettering Inter Milan's earlier agreed package of 45+5 million, while Corriere della Sera put the sum paid to Atalanta at €52 million; Aftonbladet cited a figure of roughly 610 million Swedish kronor on Fabrizio Romano's authority.[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) • [6](https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_25/alle-origini-di-marco-palestra-il-talento-milanese-al-chelsea-tutto-comincio-ad-assago-era-gia-veloce-come-il-vento-bdc5988d-9ef5-4a78-bc09-8d31dd6c0xlk_amp.shtml) • [8](https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/bloggar/sillyseason/a/BxkQkv/klart-chelsea-varvar-italiensk-stjarnback) He signed a seven-year contract to 2033, and the deal was described as Xabi Alonso's first signing since taking over at Chelsea.[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) Palestra had also been offered to Arsenal and Liverpool during the summer, according to the journalist Ben Jacobs as reported by AS, and had been on Newcastle's agenda.[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/)
At Stamford Bridge he joins the competition for the right-back spot held by club captain [Reece James](https://www.edgepedia.org/reece-james-footballer-born-1999), a situation AS linked with a possible departure of [Malo Gusto](https://www.edgepedia.org/malo-gusto).[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) "Xabi Alonso was also fundamental. He explained the project to me, he is a top coach," Palestra said in his first club interview, and he called reaching the Premier League a dream realized.[1](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/) • [7](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/marco-palestra-chelsea-fulfils-dream-repays-childhood-sacrifices)
## Playing style
Scouting assessments describe a full-back who is tidy in possession, reads the game well, and is strong in one-versus-one defensive situations, with the stamina to cover the flank for a full match.[11](https://www.thescoutingapp.com/blog/scouting-report-marco-palestra-465) He is comfortable with both feet and has been used as a right-back, right wing-back, left-back, and inverted full-back, operating both in a back four and in a wing-back system.[5](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra) • [4](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/marco-palestra-scout-report) FourFourTwo called the profile rare, noting weaknesses in aerial duels and physical strength against muscular opponents, and describing him as a disciplined defender who times challenges rather than lunging.[4](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/marco-palestra-scout-report)
## Note on dates
Most sources, including LaLiga and Corriere della Sera, give his date of birth as 2005, but FourFourTwo's scout report lists February 23, 2005; both are reproduced here as published.[3](https://www.laliga.com/en-ES/player/marco-palestra) • [6](https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_25/alle-origini-di-marco-palestra-il-talento-milanese-al-chelsea-tutto-comincio-ad-assago-era-gia-veloce-come-il-vento-bdc5988d-9ef5-4a78-bc09-8d31dd6c0xlk_amp.shtml) • [4](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/marco-palestra-scout-report)
## References
1. [Oficial: Palestra, el primero de Xabi, AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-palestra-el-primero-de-xabi-f202607-n/)
2. [Marco Palestra joins Chelsea, Atalanta BC](https://en.atalanta.it/news/marco-palestra-joins-chelsea?appview=true)
3. [Marco Palestra player profile, LaLiga](https://www.laliga.com/en-ES/player/marco-palestra)
4. [Who exactly is Marco Palestra? FourFourTwo's two-minute scout report](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/marco-palestra-scout-report)
5. [Five things you might not know about Marco Palestra, Chelsea FC](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/five-things-you-might-not-know-about-marco-palestra)
6. [Alle origini di Marco Palestra, il talento milanese al Chelsea, Corriere della Sera](https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_25/alle-origini-di-marco-palestra-il-talento-milanese-al-chelsea-tutto-comincio-ad-assago-era-gia-veloce-come-il-vento-bdc5988d-9ef5-4a78-bc09-8d31dd6c0xlk_amp.shtml)
7. [Marco Palestra: Joining Chelsea fulfils a dream, Chelsea FC](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/marco-palestra-chelsea-fulfils-dream-repays-childhood-sacrifices)
8. [Marco Palestra köps loss av Chelsea, Aftonbladet](https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/bloggar/sillyseason/a/BxkQkv/klart-chelsea-varvar-italiensk-stjarnback)
9. [Marco Palestra Scout Report At Cagliari 2025/2026, Total Football Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/marco-palestra-scout-report-cagliari-2025-2026-analysis-tactics)
10. [Newcastle United give strongest indication of a Tino Livramento sale, FourFourTwo](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/transfer/newcastle-united-give-strongest-indication-of-a-tino-livramento-sale-with-replacement-lined-up-report)
11. [Scouting Report: Marco Palestra, The Scouting App](https://www.thescoutingapp.com/blog/scouting-report-marco-palestra-465)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of continental Europe › Italian footballers born 1995 onward*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license