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 Lazio.
GettyRomano Floriani Mussolini, great-grandson of Benito, has signed for Lazio after an impressive season on loan in the Serie B[/caption]
GettyBenito Mussolini was the fascist ruler of Italy during World War Two before he was overthrown[/caption]
GettyMussolini had seen a buy option exercised by loaning side Juve Stabia, but Lazio triggered a buy-back option[/caption]
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 Serie A 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 Roma 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 Italy before he was overthrown in 1943 and later executed in 1945, by saying he is not interested in politics.
When Mussolini scored his first senior professional goal just before Christmas in 2024 against Cesena, echoes of his family name haunted him.
WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN
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 football 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.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
