All Whites defender Liberato Cacace is poised to become the first New Zealander to play in Italy's Serie A, after joining Empoli on loan.
Cacace, 21, will link with the Italian team from his Belgian club Sint-Truiden, where he's made 46 appearances since he signed a three-year contract in 2020.
At the end of the Serie A season, there's an option for Empoli to make the loan deal permanent.
Cacace will follow in the footsteps of Kiwi Matthew Garbett, who last year signed with Serie A club Torino but is yet to play a game.
The Florence-based team currently sit 12th on the Serie A ladder, with just over half of the season completed.
After representing New Zealand at age-group level, the left back stamped his mark with Wellington Phoenix in 2018, becoming one of the A-League's premier defenders at just 18 years old.
Born to an Italian father and Kiwi mother of Italian descent, Cacace went on to make his All Whites debut in 2018 and has since earned five international caps.
He also starred for the NZ U-23 side at last year's Tokyo Olympics.
Elsewhere, fellow All White and NZ U-23 representative Joe Bell also secured a move on the final day of the European transfer window.
Bell, 22, has moved from Norweigan side Viking FK to reigning Danish champions Brondby IF, signing a four year deal.
"Brøndby IF is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me and after a couple of years in Viking FK, I feel ready to take the next step," Bell told the club's official website.
"I have learned a lot in my time in Viking FK and would like to thank everyone in the club for my time in the club."
