A historic night for Ercolano, promoted from U16s to the senior side

Samp may not have got the result they wanted but Sunday was nonetheless a night to remember for Doria academy starlet Emanuel Ercolano.

Against AC Milan the prodigious full-back became the youngest player ever to be named in a Sampdoria matchday squad – aged just 15 years and 126 days.

Emanuel, who was born in Castellammare di Stabia, not far from Fabio Quagliarella’s home, joined Sampdoria last year from amateur outfit Sant’Aniello, initially linking up with the Blucerchiati Under-15s.

He started the current campaign in the Under-16s but his impressive displays quickly saw him promoted to the U17s and the Primavera. Then on Saturday he was called up to the senior squad for the trip to San Siro.

Keep up the good work, Emanuel. The next step is to make your first-team debut!

Our U16 full-back Emanuel #Ercolano was the youngest player ever to be named in a #Samp matchday squad at the weekend.

Well done, Emanuel! ? pic.twitter.com/BjxdKORW5N

— Sampdoria English (@sampdoria_en) 19 febbraio 2018