Wisconsin-born forward Andrija Novakovich has extended his stay in Italy, ending a three-year spell with Venezia to join fellow Serie B club AC Reggiana 1919 on a permanent transfer.
The club announced the signing, stating “AC Reggiana officially announces that it has permanently acquired forward Andrija Novakovich from Venezia. He joins the Granata club by signing a two-year contract with an option to extend for an additional season.”
The move lands the tall American attacker with his fifth team since arriving in Italy in 2019, with the duration of his time being in the country’s second-highest tier.
Having spent the previous two seasons on loan at Lecco and Bari, and subsequently finding himself firmly out of the plans of new Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa, the thrice-capped USMNT player had been looking for a new destination throughout the transfer window.
The days prior to the transfer being confirmed saw a reported tug-of-war between multiple suitors, with the player’s ambition to stay in the same division being at odds with the club’s financial interest. Namely, Recently relegated Serie C club Brescia had reportedly offered a transfer fee whereas Reggiana was said to expect the American to arrive on a free transfer.
Reports also emerged late in the game of another Serie C club – LR Vicenza – registering their interest.
However, Novakovich held firm that he would not be effectively relegated to Italy’s third tier, and in the end, the two clubs were eventually able to reach an agreement for his preferred move.
The former Reading FC youth product joins a team that struggled in the previous season, finishing 14th in the 20-team division, two points above the relegation playoff spots after a late surge under new head coach Davide Dionigi.
The Granata begin their new Serie B campaign on Saturday with a tough visit to last season’s promotion hopefuls Palermo, although it is questionably whether Novakovich will play a role in that game considering the proximity to his official unveiling today. With the team having already been knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the first round, they can solely focus on improving on last season’s performance.
In early-October, Novakovich will have his first chance of the season to go up against one of his countrymen when the team visits Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena, then will face Gianluca Busio and his own former team Venezia in early-January.
