Nicola Zalewski is a new Atalanta player!
23 year-old wingback completes permanent move from Inter
After Kossounou, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ahanor and Sportiello, Nicola Zalewski becomes Atalanta BC's fifth permanent signing of this summer transfer window. The Nerazzurri have secured the midfielderìs services from FC Internazionale Milano.
The Italian-Polish wingback, who will don the no. 59 shirt, already boasts significant top-level experience: 95 Serie A appearances, 26 in the UEFA Europa League and 7 in the UEFA Conference League - a competition he lifted with AS Roma in May 2022. At just 23 years of age, his résumé is further enriched by 2 Champions League outings, 2 appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup and participation with Poland in both the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and EURO 2024 in Germany. Donning the Biało-czerwoni crest, he has so far collected 29 caps and 3 goals.
Born in Tivoli on 23 January 2002, Zalewski began playing football at just six years old with ASD Poli and Zagarolo before joining Roma's Academy. His talent shone through as he rose through the youth ranks, eventually making his first-team debut on 6 May 2021, aged 19, in the UEFA Europa League semifinal second leg. Just three days later, he featured in the Serie A for the first time, hitting the pitch in Roma's win over Crotone.
From the 2021/22 season onwards, he became a first-team regular and on May 25 2022, he featured in the Giallorossi's starting XI in the momentous UEFA Conference League Final victory against Feyenoord in Tirana. In the following campaign, still with Roma, where he was often employed as a starter (34 times in 45 appearances between Serie A and the UEFA Europa League), he scored his first league goal on 12 March 2023 against Sassuolo.
On 1 February 2025, he joined Inter on loan, providing the decisive assist for the final 1-1 draw in the league derby against AC Milan, the very next day after his signing. On May 11, he scored his very first goal with Inter in the team's away win to Torino. At the end of last season, Inter made his move permanent from Roma.
Holding dual citizenship, he chose to represent Poland, the home country of his parents, making his debut on September 5 2021. He played two matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and three at Euro 2024 in Germany, having opened his international account with a goal in the 2-1 friendly win over Turkey on June 10 2024.
The Percassi and Pagliuca families, along with the entire Club, extend a warm welcome to Nicola and wish him the very best, both on and off the pitch, in his journey in Nerazzurri colours.