Bruno Damiani

Bruno Damiani Píriz (born 18 April 2002) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union.

Early life Damiani was born in Montevideo. After unsuccessful trials as a youngster at Nacional, River Plate Montevideo and Liverpool Montevideo, he then played in the Universitario League while attending Champagnat Universitario and Trouville Universitario.

Youth career After the unsuccessful trial as a 7-year-old to join Nacional youth teams, he then had a successful trial as a 17-year-old, as he joined Nacional U19 team in 2019. He was the leading scorer of the Nacional B (reserve) team in the 3rd division in 2022, scoring 20 goals in 2,156 minutes (1 goal every 108 minutes), which was the 2nd overall leading scorer in the division.

After several years with Nacional's youth and reserve teams, Damiani made his debut for the first team on 11 January 2023, in a friendly played at the Gran Parque Central against Vélez Sarsfield. His first official match was on April 1 of the same year in his team's defeat against Peñarol, when he played 9 minutes.

With his first team playing time uncertain, Damiani would spend most of the 2023 Clausura playing for Nacional B in the third division. He scored 12 goals in 1,177 minutes (1 goal every 98 minutes) to finish tied as team's leading scorer and tied for second overall leading scorer in the division.

Boston River (loan) Damiani joined Boston River on a year-long loan. In the 2024 Apertura. He played 14 league games and scored 3 goals. In the 2024 Clausura, Damiani's productivity dramatically increased. In 14 games, he scored 9 goals, which made him the 2nd leading overall scorer in the Uruguayan Primera División. Having scored 8 goals in the first 9 games of the Apertura, Damiani won back-to-back awards for the division's player of the month in August/September 2024 and October 2024.

Damiani noted how important his decision to go on loan to Boston River, saying “I have no doubt that my time in Boston was the best decision I could have made. I was welcomed by a serious club, with a team made up of players with whom I got along very well, and the results are there for all to see. But aside from that, it helped me learn a lot of things and have a more leading role in a team".

Return to Nacional After the 2024 Clausura, Damiani returned to Nacional in advance of the 2025 Apertura. He started in the 2025 Uruguayan Super Cup. He was also a starter in the first round of the 2025 Apertura.

In January 2025, he extended his contract with the team until December 2027. The extension was executed while teams such as Newell's Old Boys, Gimnasia, América de Cali, Austin FC, New England Revolution, CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Philadelphia Union expressed interest.

Philadelphia Union On 12 February 2025, Damiani's transfer to Philadelphia Union was confirmed by Uruguayan reports. The transfer fee was $3.4 million with Nacional, who retained 20% of future capital gains. Nacional received $2.0 million with Boston River, Damiani's agent and Damiani received the remainder; however, Damiani donated his portion ($200,000) to the Nacional youth teams, citing "It was part of a negotiation that I was willing to give up. Since they didn't ask me for more, my father and I suggested that it was a nice way to thank the club because I owe my career to Nacional, which opened the doors to me when I was 18, and that was the gesture that occurred to us."

On 18 February 2025, Damiani's transfer to Philadelphia Union was officially announced with his designation as a Young Designated Player. His $3.4 million transfer, with $0.6 million potential add-on incentives, set a transfer record for the Union.

International career In May 2024, Damiani was named in the first ever Uruguay local national team squad, a national team consisting of only domestic league players. He made his Uruguay local team debut on 31 May 2024 in a goalless draw against Costa Rica. He scored both of the team's goals in a 2–1 win in a friendly over Gremio on 4 December 2024.

Style of play Damiani mainly operates as a striker and has been described as a "typical '9', who always seeks to play as a team". In being named a top U23 player to follow in the 2024 Uruguay Primera Division season, Damiani's play and stats were cited as "ranking first in touches within the box, successful short passes, and offensive aerial duels won, Damiani has a keen sense for positioning and movement in the final third. His efficiency in connecting with teammates through short passes and winning aerial duels underscores his adaptability and strength as a target forward. This prowess makes him an exciting forward prospect for clubs aiming to bolster their attacking lineup."

Personal life Damiani is a supporter of Uruguayan side Nacional. He studied administration and management, continuing to do so even after he started his club career.

Statistics Clubs

Honours Nacional Supercopa Uruguaya: 2025 Uruguayan Primera División Player of the Month: August/September 2024,