The Italian media caught the eye of Leo Østigård in the Napoli shirt with the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season, but the Norwegian international “disappeared” from the spotlight after coach Luciano Spaletti’s exit. After a trip to Rennes and a loan to Hoffenheim, the centre-back is back in Serie A.
First a test on loan from Rennes, then came the permanent transfer to Genoa in January. Here, Danielle de Rossi took over the reins in November 2025, Østigård has become one of the Italian football legend’s most important players. The Norwegian is a regular in the starting eleven, two games in a row with goals from the centre-back was the result when De Rossi took over the lead.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport recently named Østigård the best on the pitch and wrote that he once again proves to be “almost unbeatable in the air”, Italian newspapers have previously referred to him as a “defensive giant”, and his performances after his return to Italy and Genoa have led to comparisons with great stopping legends. In addition to the defensive, the media highlights his ability to decide games offensively, such as when he recently scored the winning goal for Genoa.
With a contract until 2030 and a Genoa that has climbed six points above the relegation line with eight league games left in the season, the future looks bright for Østigård, who has come “home” to Serie A, with the right coach on the sidelines. If you take a look at Genoa’s Instagram profile, there is also no doubt that the Norwegian international is one of the supporters’ favorites.
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