It's a bit premature, but figured there was a key tidbit that would help Fontana make a move to Europe easier when the time comes. Anthony Fontana Philadelphia Union Midfielder 21 Real Name: Anthony Fontana HT: 5' 10" WT: 170 Pronunciation: Fahn-TAN-uh Homegrown Player Age: 21 (10/14/1999) Birthplace: Newark, DE Hometown: Newark, DE @ANTFONTANA99 http://www.americansoccernow.com/ar...ng-a-bigger-role-as-philadelphia-chases-title When talking about his own ambitions to eventually make the move to Europe, Fontana is frank that is something he wants to do (“my goals in this game are to compete with the best in the world”) but understands it is a process and not something that happens overnight. He is going to have to first be a consistent starter and consistent offensive producer over thousands of minutes first. His Italian passport should eventually help him with that.
He was tried in the starting lineup a year ago and didn't impressed. This year he has come in as a sub and excelled. His goals are quality, all of a difficult variety.
Interest from Venezia in Italy's 2nd tier: https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/anthony-fontana-philadelphia-union-roster-20210318.html
I mentioned this.. Fontana now has a chance to start regularly in Philly. I doubt Venezia has the cash to pull away Fontana right now. Philly just sold two key starters. They're going to want to hold tight at least until midseason to see who they can buy. If Fontana has a good season, then Philly will probably listen - and by that point it'll probably be other teams, not just Venezia
Anthony Fontana’s transfer to Italy is imminent. Personal sources close to the player have confirmed.— dooper_dubz (@DooperDubz) January 1, 2022
pretty sure hes a free agent...so not really a transfer...right? wonder if his lack of playing time this year was vindictive?
I doubt it, at this point. That's off interest from when Venezia were in Serie B and Fontana was playing regularly for Philly. This past year he was a backup, albeit as a lame duck. While Venezia went in the opposite direction. The much safer bet is Serie B. My best guess is Parma. They have an American owner as well.
To be fair, de Vries only played a cup match so far, but I can see him getting a first-team call in league play at the rate he's going.
Yea, De Vries went from Philly's reserves to Venezia's academy. That's proportionate. I don't know if going from Dallas sub to a Venezia one is proportionate, but it's more than Fontana was playing this past season, and Tessmann is a few years younger, so that doesn't create any precedent either.
fontana has a transfermarkt value of 2 mil euro, tessman 2.5..de vries 200thousand. fontana dealt with some issues and injuries etc...but he has some good goals for philly and in concacaf champs league to his resume.....id take fontanas mls record over tessmans fwiw
Not sure of the source but here you go: Breaking:🚨Former Philadelphia Union midfielder Anthony Fontana will be signing with Ascoli Calcio 1898 FC in Serie B, a source close to the situation has told me.Ascoli sit in 10th in the Italian second division and are part-owned by New York based North Sixth Group, LLC. https://t.co/bgqMhidN7S pic.twitter.com/x1lvsh74ND— Owen Boyle (@Owenboyle17) January 2, 2022
His girlfriend posted that he's moving to Italy: Anthony Fontana (22, Union homegrown) is apparently going to be playing in ItalyHis girlfriend posted a TikTok about his imminent move. He is out of contract with the Union and holds an Italian passportFontana scored 12 goals in just 1.442 minutes for the Union pic.twitter.com/X2TzN6icjd— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) January 2, 2022
Anthony Fontana from @philaunion to Serie B Ascoli? Here is info on the Italian’s club American ownership. https://t.co/nyZ2jxFdVq— Union Rumors (@UnionRumors) January 2, 2022 Twitter-verse is saying that Anthony is instead heading to Serie B to play for 10th place Ascoli. Many seem surprised by this. Did people really thing he was headed to Serie A? Venezia had interest last year as a Serie B club. I think Serie B is a great step for Anthony. It seems like the right level right now.
Fontana is arriving in Italy today on trial according to a local Ascoli fan site. Apparently there is some prior connection between the player and their current sporting director. Former @PhilaUnion midfielder @AntFontana99 has been rumored to be on his way to @ascolicalciofc in Italy's #SerieB. According to a local site, he arrives today *on trial* and will be evaluated in the coming days.https://t.co/Oa3zUNDxcO pic.twitter.com/HR2gU62zzW— Yanks Abroad (@yanks_abroad) January 6, 2022
I've seen reports that he has a contract offer from Philly, which is perhaps not surprising. We don't always talk about situations like this but I imagine a lot of players who are already professional and have a body of work would prefer not to have to go on a bunch of trials. He's not as established as some but it's interesting to see him take this route.
A local rag in Ascoli is reporting that Fontana's trial went well and a signing could be announced today. Breakfast news: Former @PhilaUnion midfielder @AntFontana99 has been on trial at #SerieB club @ascolicalciofc for a couple weeks. Local press is reporting that #Fontana has impressed, and signing could be announced within hours.https://t.co/sRvntX51FV— Yanks Abroad (@yanks_abroad) January 19, 2022
Deal getting closer... Sticking with Philadelphia Union homegrowns, Italian publication @PicenoTime is reporting that Delaware native Anthony Fontana (now out of contract) is negotiating a 1.5 year deal with Ascoli Calcio (8th in Serie B). Deal is still not final.https://t.co/CEC4JE7905— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 25, 2022
*Finally* at the finish line: Former #DOOP midfielder Anthony Fontana has joined Serie B side @ascolicalciofc on a free deal. He impressed on trial earlier this winter. Club should announce in next day or so. #USMNT https://t.co/Nw88Kr9JBz— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) February 12, 2022
It’s a free transfer but Philly is apparently looking forward to some cash via training compensation and solidarity payments. New from me tonight:The Union will make some money from Anthony Fontana's move to Ascoli. Here's a look at how.https://t.co/kkUu8Fia53 pic.twitter.com/84wT9sKosI— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) February 11, 2022
Finally announced by the club: https://www.ascolicalcio1898.it/calciomercato-ufficiale-anthony-fontana-vestira-la-maglia-n-99/
On the bench, DNP, in 1-0 win: 🇮🇹 Serie B🧐 22 yr old former 🇺🇸YNT midfieldr Anthony Fontana makes his bench debut for Ascoli Calcio! pic.twitter.com/EFksmftkZO— 🇺🇸 ⚽ east (@eastdeflection) April 2, 2022
Fontana made his debut today as an 83rd minute sub during a 4-1 win on the final match day of the Serie B season. Ascoli finished 6th and will advance to the Serie B promotion playoffs. They will host 7th place Benevento on the 13th in the single leg quarter-final round. @bungadiri @dark knight @TheFalseNine This thread can be promoted.
On the bench for a cup match: 🇮🇹 Coppa Italia🧐🇺🇸🇺🇸 vs 🇺🇸Tessmann & Novakovich starting for VeneziaAnthony Fontana on the bench for Ascoli📺Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/RchZnEf34T— 🇺🇸 ⚽ east (@eastdeflection) August 7, 2022