Football
Mario Mitaj Becomes a Genoa Player, Signs for the Serie A Club
Genoa’s Chief of Football, Diego Lopez, also welcomed the Albanian international. “Mario is a player who combines two important characteristics: the technical quality required to build play from the back and the mental strength needed to represent Genoa. Welcome, Mario,”
Mario Mitaj is officially Genoa’s newest signing. The Albanian international defender returns to European football after completing his move from Al-Ittihad to the Italian Serie A club.
The Rossoblù announced that they had reached an agreement with Al-Ittihad to sign the 22-year-old on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
According to Italian media reports, Genoa will pay €2 million for the loan and will have the opportunity to purchase Mitaj permanently for an additional €4.5 million. If the option is activated, the total value of the transfer will rise to €6.5 million.
Mitaj arrived in Genoa, successfully completed his medical examinations and then signed his contract. The Albanian defender will wear the number 2 shirt.
“Joining a club like Genoa and playing in Serie A was one of my objectives,” Mitaj told the club’s official website.
“I am eager to get to work in an environment that offers great motivation.”
Genoa’s Chief of Football, Diego Lopez, also welcomed the Albanian international.
“Mario is a player who combines two important characteristics: the technical quality required to build play from the back and the mental strength needed to represent Genoa. Welcome, Mario,” Lopez said.
Mitaj, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on August 6, has made 32 senior appearances for the Albanian national team. He started all three of Albania’s matches at UEFA Euro 2024.
A product of AEK Athens’ academy, Mitaj has also represented Lokomotiv Moscow and Al-Ittihad. During his time in Saudi Arabia, he won the league championship and the King’s Cup in the 2024–25 season.
Roma and several Portuguese clubs had also shown interest in the Albanian defender, but Genoa moved quickly to secure his signature.
The move to Serie A represents another major step in Mitaj’s career, giving him the opportunity to demonstrate his qualities in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.
Mitaj is expected to immediately join his new teammates for Genoa’s preseason tour of England.