Giuseppe Savoldi’s name resonates deeply within the annals of football history, far beyond a mere passing mention. A gifted forward, this Italian standout was renowned for his scoring prowess, but his ascent to fame was underscored by an unprecedented transfer fee. Born on January 21, 1947, in Gorlago, not far from Bergamo in Lombardy, Savoldi initially harbored a passion for basketball, excelling in regional competitions and even in high jump due to his natural athleticism. However, his trajectory shifted in 1965 when he embarked on a professional football career with Atalanta.
A decade later, Savoldi clinched a historic title as the world’s costliest player – the pioneer to command a million-pound transfer sum, marking a groundbreaking seven-figure deal in the sport.
Renowned for his aerial prowess, a skill honed during his basketball exploits, Giuseppe Savoldi left an indelible mark within Atalanta’s ranks. Initially deployed as a winger by Ettore Puricelli, an esteemed figure in Italian football, Savoldi swiftly transitioned into a central striker under the tutelage of Stefano Angeleri.
Despite a tentative start, Savoldi flourished under Angeleri’s guidance, emerging as Atalanta’s leading goal scorer in his sophomore season. Establishing himself as one of Italian football’s most promising talents, Giuseppe Savoldi reluctantly bid farewell to his hometown club in 1968, embarking on a seven-season tenure with Bologna, where he etched his name into the annals of the club’s history.
During his tenure in Emilia-Romagna, the striker clinched the Italian Cup twice in 1970 and 1974, clinching the top scorer accolade on both occasions.
Savoldi also secured victory in the fleeting Anglo-Italian League Cup in 1970, a contest between the victors of the Italian Cup and the English League Cup. In a thrilling final, Bologna triumphed over Manchester City with an aggregate score of 3-2 – securing a 1-0 victory at home and a 2-2 draw in Manchester.
Savoldi reigned as Bologna’s top scorer for six consecutive seasons, from 1969-70 to 1974-75. However, despite his prolific contributions, the club failed to mount a serious challenge for the Serie A title, culminating in a fifth-place finish during the 1970-71 campaign, their highest standing during Savoldi’s tenure.
In pursuit of Serie A glory, Giuseppe Savoldi embarked on a new chapter with Napoli in 1975, following unsuccessful endeavors to join Roma, Milan, and Juventus. His acquisition, as the Serie A top scorer of the 1972-73 season, was hailed as a coup for Napoli.
The club splurged 1.4 billion Italian lire in cash for Savoldi’s services, alongside the transfer of two players – Sergio Clerici and Romario Rampanti – to Bologna. This combined deal value soared to 2 billion lire, equivalent to approximately £1.2 million at the time.
This landmark transaction marked the first seven-figure deal in football history, surpassing the previous record set by Johan Cruyff’s transfer to Barcelona from Ajax for £922,000 in 1973.
Savoldi’s tenure at Napoli commenced auspiciously, with seven goals in his first seven appearances. However, his four-year stint yielded modest silverware, including the Italian Cup and the Anglo-Italian Cup, both secured in 1976. He added another Anglo-Italian Cup triumph, prevailing with a 4-1 victory over Southampton. In total, Savoldi amassed 165 appearances and notched 77 goals, with 55 strikes in the league, though he never clinched the title.
In 1979, Giuseppe Savoldi returned to Bologna for a fleeting stint before concluding his illustrious career with a brief return to his childhood club, Atalanta, retiring in 1983.
For the national team, Savoldi earned four caps and netted his sole international goal against Greece in a friendly encounter, contributing to Italy’s 3-2 victory in 1975.
