Uganda Cranes defender Elio Capradossi is back on the pitch, signing a short-term deal with Italian Serie B club AC Cittadella. It’s a fresh start for the calm and collected center-back, who’s locked in until the end of the season.
At 27, Capradossi’s been in a bit of a limbo since leaving Serie C side AC Lecco earlier this year. That downtime meant he missed out on Uganda’s recent games against South Africa and Congo, with coach Paul Put leaving him out of the squad. But if you caught his debut for Uganda against Botswana in July 2024, you’d know he’s still got what it takes to shine on the international stage.
Born in Kampala on March 11, 1996, Capradossi’s roots are as unique as his journey. His dad’s Italian, and his mom’s from the Democratic Republic of Congo, giving him the chance to play for Italy, DR Congo, or Uganda. He chose Uganda—and Cranes fans couldn’t be happier about it.
His career kicked off in AS Roma’s youth setup back in 2010. By 2015, he made his senior debut, but opportunities were scarce, and he was loaned to Bari and Spezia. Spezia was where things really clicked for him. He played 20 games, scored three goals, and earned a permanent move in 2019. Over the next few years, he added 33 more games and two more goals to his resume.
Then came the rough patch—a torn ACL while playing for Italy’s U20s. That injury led to a string of loans, including a stint at SPAL in 2021-2022, before a move to Cagliari in 2022. It wasn’t smooth sailing, but Capradossi’s determination kept him in the fight.
Now, he’s landed at Cittadella, ready to make his mark in Serie B. At 6’1”, he’s a solid presence in the backline and brings a ton of experience to his new team. Cranes fans will be crossing their fingers that this move gets him back on coach Paul Put’s radar.
Capradossi’s story isn’t just about football—it’s about grit and bouncing back. After everything he’s been through, this move feels like a well-deserved shot at reminding everyone just how good he is.
