Italian football mourning Giani, who has died at 39

Italian football is in mourning following the death of former SPAL captain Nicolas Giani, an Inter youth academy product, at the age of 39.

The central defender passed away today after a long illness, which had forced him to suspend his playing career in 2022.

He would’ve turned 40 next month.

Giani had started his career as part of the Inter youth academy, going on to play for Cremonese, Pro Patria, Vicenza, Perugia, SPAL, Spezia, Feralpisalò and Desenzano.

The centre-back was most closely associated with SPAL, who he represented from 2014 to 2017, becoming their captain during their climb to Serie A.

Giani never managed a single top flight game during his career, but had 181 in Serie B with five goals and four assists, plus over 200 in Serie C.

He had caps for Italy at Under-18 and Under-19 level.

Inter and Cremonese are among the clubs who expressed their condolences to his family, but SPAL went bankrupt in August 2025.